Advertisement

Highway 18-60 Project Nearing Completion

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

This view is Highway 18 in the area of Ward Road and Old Highway 18. (Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin DOT)

 

Highway 18-60 construction should be almost complete by Friday

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The Highway 18-60 Project in the town of Bridgeport is wrapping up and most of it is expected to be done by Memorial Day weekend. Construction on the project began with cutting down trees and landscaping in mid-March of 2016.

“For the most part, everything should be completed by Friday,” said John Gantenbein, of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT). “There still may be orange drums along the shoulders and the road work signs will remain up until all the contractor’s punch list items are completed.”

Landscaping, diamond grinding of a few bumps, changing a few signs and pavement marking will be going on this week, Gantenbein said. 

When the project is complete, it should be quite an improvement from what the roadways were previously. Traffic efficiency and safety are the primary reasons for the project. Additional lanes, dedicated turn lanes, and consolidation of access points are design elements that contribute to the increased safety and efficiency.

“The planners, engineers and contractors have designed and built a real gem that this area can be proud of for many years,” said Gantenbein. “I believe the greatest safety enhancement was the addition of the left and right turn lanes to each intersection. Vehicles in all lanes can maintain speed without braking for vehicles turning.”

The $17 million project included the new Crawford County salt shed on the north end of Prairie du Chien built last year near Design Homes, as well as sanitary and water main extensions for Bridgeport Township, but it should come in at or under budget. “Everything should come in at or just below the contractor’s bid,” Gantenbein said.

The project is on U.S. Highway 18, between South Town Lane in Prairie du Chien and the Wisconsin River Bridge in Crawford County. It also extends along State Highway 60 approximately 1,000 feet. The total project length is 3.2 miles.

The project, which is both state and federally funded, consisted of reconstructing this corridor from a two-lane configuration to a four-lane facility with a 50-foot median. 

Several side roads along the corridor have been realigned in order to consolidate access locations. The west end of Old Highway 18 no longer accesses U.S. 18, but instead connects with Cabin Hill Lane. 

Left and right turn lanes have been added at most intersections to improve traffic flow and safety. The finished project will consist of two 12-foot lanes, an 8-foot shoulder on the outside, and a 6-foot shoulder on the inside in each direction. The surface is concrete pavement. Drainage has been improved with additional ditching and new drainage structures throughout the length of the project.

The intersection of Highway 18 and Highway 60 has been made easier and safer. The most notable change to the US18/STH60 interchange is improved lane designation, which makes navigation through the intersection easier to understand. This is accomplished through longer and better marked turn lanes and tapers, raised islands, and updated pavement marking and signing. The intersection is larger so the motorist can get in the proper lane sooner.

For the most part, motorists have been cautious and traffic has flowed relatively well during the construction. “There have not been too many bad instances, just a few impaired drivers hitting the traffic control devices at night in the past few weeks,” said Gantenbein. “Please remember that the construction is not completed until the orange drums and the construction signs are removed.”

Rate this article: 
No votes yet