Highway 18 project to begin Aug. 14

By Ted Pennekamp

The Highway 18 resurfacing project from Fennimore to Patch Grove was completed in July, and now the resurfacing of the highway from Patch Grove to the Wisconsin River Bridge is scheduled to begin on Aug. 14.

Todd Waldo, Wisconsin Department of Transportation project manager, said the project involves more than the project from Fennimore to Patch Grove so it will take a few months to complete. The Patch Grove to the Wisconsin River Bridge project is 6.3 miles.

Waldo said the project will have multiple lanes in some areas.

“Because of the divided lanes for a portion of the project, drivers will have to pay attention to shifting traffic patterns as we mill and then pave this section of the highway,” said Waldo.

The project will involve milling off two inches of pavement and repaving. There are no alignment changes or roadway expansions so it won’t resemble the 2016 Highway 18-60 project from Prairie du Chien to Bridgeport. The road will look very similar to what is there now except for a new driving surface and the paved shoulders changing from the current three feet wide to five feet wide. Along with the asphalt pavement, the guardrail will also be replaced.

The project is paid for through 80 percent federal funding and 20 percent state. Waldo said the project cost just more than $3.5 million.

Message boards have been up in advance of the project warning motorists of the upcoming construction. Information about the project is also on the WisDOT website and the 511 site.

The project will be constructed under traffic. Roadway flagging operations will control traffic throughout the construction process. Access to businesses and residences along the project route will be maintained except for limited periods of time during underground utility relocations and driveway improvements.