Construction season begins on I-41 and beyond

GREEN BAY, WI – (WGBW/WISS) – Orange construction cones and zones will affect drivers throughout Northeast Wisconsin this spring. The largest of the projects is between Appleton and Green Bay as construction to expand I-41 to 6 lanes of traffic between Appleton and DePere is set to begin April 1. 

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) says four lanes of traffic will remain open during peak hours. Work is expected to take four years.

WisDOT will host three public meetings to provide an overview of the project and construction timelines. One of the meetings will be held virtually and the other two will be in-person.

Virtual meeting: 5 p.m. March 12. 

In-person meeting: 5 to 7 p.m. March 13 at Hemlock Creek Elementary School located at 1900 Williams Grant Drive in De Pere.

In-person meeting: 5 to 7 p.m. March 14 at Fox Valley Technical College D.J. Bordini Center located at 5 N Systems Drive in Appleton.

Northeast Wisconsin highway construction taking place in 2024

In addition to the I-41 project, there are many other construction projects planned throughout Northeast Wisconsin in 2024. WisDot Northeast Region provided a list of the state highway construction projects scheduled for 2024. The list is subject to change as projects are added and weather conditions affect the projects.

2024 highway projects are listed by county below. The Northeast Region includes the counties of Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Sheboygan, and Winnebago. 

I-41 MAJORS PROJECT – BROWN AND OUTAGAMIE COUNTIES

I-41 Expansion Project

Road construction will begin in early 2024 and will impact multiple interchanges and overpasses between Appleton and De Pere. Please see the project website for the construction schedule, traffic impacts, detour maps, and project exhibits.

•  I-41 Expansion Project: https://i41project.wisconsindot.gov/

Brown County

WIS 172 Resurfacing and Box Culvert Replacement

Location: WIS 172 from WIS 54 in the village of Hobart to the Austin Straubel Airport entrance

Length of project work zone: 2.3 miles

Construction schedule: June 2024 to October 2024

Traffic impacts:

• WIS 172 will be closed to traffic for approximately three months while the culvert structure near WIS 54 is removed and replaced.
• WIS 172 will also be closed to traffic at County GE for approximately one week while the roundabout is being milled/paved. The detour will be the same as the detour above. WIS 172 at the box culvert structure and the County GE roundabout will not be closed at the same time.
• During mainline resurfacing, the roadway will be open to traffic. Motorists can expect to encounter lane closures and flagging operations.

Detour: During the culvert structure replacement and County GE roundabout work, WIS 172 traffic will be detoured north along I-41 to WIS 54 to WIS 172, and vice versa.

WIS 54 Resurfacing

Location: WIS 54 between University Way and WIS 57 in the city of Green Bay, Brown County

Length of project work zone: 4.4 miles

Construction schedule:  May 2024 to October 2024

Traffic impacts: The WIS 54 mainline will remain open using temporary lane and shoulder closures for most of the construction.

Ramp closures

• ​The ramps at I-43/University Avenue, I-43/Nicolet Drive, and I-43/Bay Settlement Road will be closed during off-peak hours during resurfacing/repairing operations.
• The ramps at Bay Settlement Road will be closed and detoured for several days for concrete repairs. A detour route will be posted.
• Consecutive ramps will not be closed at the same time.

Detour: The detour route uses Bay Settlement Road to Algoma Road to the WIS 54/57 interchange.

BROWN and OUTAGAMIE COUNTIES

WIS 96 Resurfacing (Kaukauna- Wrightstown)

Location: WIS 96 from County D in the village of Wrightstown to Claribel Street in the city of Kaukauna

Length of project work zone: 4.89 miles

Construction schedule: Expected between May 2024 and November 2024

Traffic impacts: WIS 96 will be open to traffic throughout most of the construction.

• Traffic control in the form of flagging operations will be used to close one lane of WIS 96 at a time as necessary.
• A short-term detour (Approx. three weeks) for the culvert pipe replacements in rural areas.
• A short-term detour (Approx. one week) for storm sewer repairs within the village of Wrightstown.
• Shoulder and sidewalk closures will be needed for curb ramp improvements and repair work.

Detour for culvert pipe replacement: Eastbound WIS 96 to northbound WIS 55 to northbound I-41 to County U back to WIS 96. Vice versa for westbound.

Detour for storm sewer repairs in Wrightstown: Detour will follow County DD and County U.

CALUMET AND OUTAGAMIE COUNTIES

WIS 441 Maintenance Improvement – Carryover from 2023

Location: WIS 441 corridor and respective system interchange ramps between US 10/Oneida Street and the north junction of I-41 in the city of Appleton

Length of project work zone: 4.65 miles

Schedule: May 30, 2023 through April 12, 2024

Traffic impacts: Lane closures will take place during pavement marking work.

DOOR COUNTY

WIS 42 Resurfacing

Location: WIS 42 from approximately 0.1 miles north of the mid-junction with WIS 57 in the town of Sevastopol to Rainbow Ridge Road in the town of Egg Harbor.

Length of project work zone:  12.1 miles

Expected construction schedule: The contract is 50 working days, which equates to approximately three months of work that is anticipated to occur from April through June of 2024, but some work could extend until after Labor Day weekend 2024.

Traffic impacts: WIS 42 will be constructed under single-lane closures via flagging operations for both local and through traffic. However, at the start of construction for this project, most of this project length (north of County I) will already be detoured under the village of Egg Harbor’s local project. That closure/detour will be extended further south to the mid-junction with WIS 57 as part of this project. The overall combined WIS 42 detour will then follow WIS 57, County V, County A, and County EE.

Detour:  As noted above, in cooperation with the village of Egg Harbor’s project, the overall combined WIS 42 detour will then follow WIS 57, County V, County A, and County EE.

WIS 42 Resurfacing

Location: WIS 42 from Rainbow Ridge Road in the town of Egg Harbor to Bluff Lane in the town of Gibraltar.

Length of project work zone: 7.0 miles

Construction schedule: The contract time is 25 working days, which equates to approximately 1.5 months of work that is anticipated to occur in May and June of 2024, but some work could extend until after Labor Day weekend of 2024.

Traffic impacts: WIS 42 will be constructed under single-lane closures via flagging operations for both local and through traffic.

• NOTE: WIS 42 south of County EE in the project work zone is closed for a village of Egg Harbor Local Program project.
• The construction for this project will utilize the local closure.

Detour: A WIS 42 detour is being provided by other projects. The detour will follow WIS 57, County V, County A, and County EE. 

WIS 57 Structure Replacement

Location: WIS 57 from approximately the mid-junction with WIS 42 in the town of Sevastopol to approximately County E in the town of Baileys Harbor.

Length of project work zone: 17.0 miles

Schedule: A construction contract is a carry-over contract that will begin in September 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in December 2025. Each structure replacement location will have its own interim anticipated start and completion date:

• Lily Bay and Geisel Creek locations – September 2024 start and December 2024 completion
• Logan Creek location – April 2025 start and July 2025 completion
• Hibbard Creek location – September 2025 start to December 2025 completion.

Traffic impacts: WIS 57 will be closed and detoured for the construction of these structures.

Detour:  During the construction of both the Lily Bay and Geisel Creek structures, the WIS 57 detour will follow WIS 42 and County I. During the construction of the Logan Creek structure, the WIS 57 detour will follow County T and County V. During the construction of the Hibbard Creek structure, the WIS 57 detour will follow County V, County A, and County E.

FOND DU LAC COUNTY

US 45 Resurfacing

Location: US 45 from Scott Street in the village of North Fond du Lac to the North County Line in the town of Friendship.

Length of project work zone: 7.4 miles

Schedule: The project is estimated to be approximately three months in duration. The project may start as early as May but could be as late as the end of July.

Traffic impacts:  US 45 will have single-lane closures during construction.

MANITOWOC COUNTY

US 10/WIS 310 Resurfacing

Location: US 10/WIS 310 from County P (Branch) to Columbus Street in the city of Two Rivers

Length of project work zone: 8.73

Expected construction schedule: July 2024 to November 2024

Traffic impacts: US 10/WIS 310 will remain open for much of construction using lane closures and flagging operations with a pilot car during cold-in-place and paving operations.

• NOTE: The three roundabouts will be CLOSED AND DETOURED for approximately a week during paving and inlet rehabilitation at County R, County B, and County Q

Detour: During the short-term closures of roundabouts, US 10/WIS 310 will be detoured using I-43, US 10, and WIS 42. 

US 10 Passing Lane Improvement

Location: US 10 between the villages of Reedsville and Whitelaw. The project is located in the municipalities of Maple Grove, Rockland, Franklin, and Cato in Manitowoc County.

Length of project work zone: 3.617 miles

Schedule: May 2024 to September 2024

Traffic impacts:  US 10 traffic will remain open, however, there will be some short-term closures for blasting rock and some flagging operations may be necessary at times.

MARINETTE COUNTY

US 41 Resurfacing

Location: US 41 from Flame Road in the town of Peshtigo to West Cleveland Avenue in the city of Marinette in Marinette County.

Length of project work zone: 2.7 miles

Schedule: May 2024 to September 2024

Traffic impacts: The roadway will be open to traffic and US 41 will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction. Temporary driveway closures will be necessary during parts of the construction process.

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY

WIS 15 West Segment Reconstruction/Expansion

Location/limits: WIS 15 from US 45 to County JJ in the towns of Hortonia and Ellington and the village of Hortonville

Length of project work zone: 3.0 miles

Construction schedule: April 2024 to November 2024

Traffic impacts: WIS 15 will be closed and detoured for the duration of this project. The detour will utilize US 45 to County TT to County T to County JJ. All other side roads will close at WIS 15.

• See the WIS 15 Majors Project Website for specific traffic impacts. https://projects.511wi.gov/wis15expand/

Detour: US 45 to County TT to County T to County JJ

WIS 54 Resurfacing and Seymour Roundabout Construction 

Location: WIS 54 from French Road t​o Seminary Road in the city of Seymour through the towns of Seymour, Osborn, and Oneida in Outagamie County.​

Length of project work zone: 7.7 miles

Construction schedule:  April 2024 to September 2024

Traffic impacts: The intersections of WIS 54/WIS 55 and WIS 54/County C will be closed during roundabout construction.

• Access will be maintained to businesses and residents along the project corridor throughout construction.

WIS 54, outside of WIS 54/WIS 55 and WIS 54/County C intersections, will be open to traffic throughout most of the construction.

• Traffic control in the form of flagging operations will be used to close one lane of WIS 54, at a time, as necessary.

Detour: WIS 47, County G, and Mainline Drive

WIS 96 Patching and Resurfacing

Location: WIS 96 from approximately Cleary Court to Tower View Drive in the town of Greenville and the village of Greenville

Length of project work zone: 1.362 miles

Schedule: Work is anticipated to begin near the end of July 2024 and finish in mid-September 2024

Traffic impacts: WIS 96 will be open to traffic throughout the majority of construction. Short-term detours (approx. two weeks) of WIS 96 and WIS 76 are anticipated to complete pavement repair work. Flagging operations will be used to close one lane of WIS 96 at a time as necessary.

Detour: The below detours will be used during the two weeks WIS 96 and WIS 76 are closed and detoured.

• WIS 96 detour- Eastbound WIS 96 – North on County M, east on WIS 15, south on County CB. Vice versa for westbound.
• WIS 76 detour- Northbound WIS 76- East on US 10, north on County CB, then west on WIS 15. Vice versa for southbound.

WIS 54 / WIS 47 Resurfacing (two-year project)

Location: There are two project work zones:

• WIS 54 from House Road to Park Avenue in the town of Liberty and the village of Shiocton.
• WIS 47 from County B and North County Line in the village of Black Creek, and the towns of Black Creek and Cicero.​

Length of project work zone: WIS 54 = 8.8 miles, WIS 47 = 8.3 miles

Expected construction schedule:  September 2024 through September 2025

Traffic impacts 2024

• Wis 54 will be closed for culvert pipe replacements in 2024. Access will be maintained to businesses and residents along the project corridor throughout construction.
• Wis 47 will be closed for storm sewer replacements in 2024. Access will be maintained to businesses and residents along the project corridor throughout construction.
• WIS 54 and WIS 47 outside pipe replacements will use lane closures and flagging operations.

Detours in 2024

• The WIS 54 detour will utilize WIS 76, County S, and County M.
• The WIS 47 detour will utilize WIS 54, County PP, and County B. 

WIS 15 Bypass Bridge Epoxy Overlay

Location: WIS 15 from CN Railroad to County JJ in the towns of Hortonia and Ellington and the village of Hortonville

Length of project work zone: 3.6 miles

Schedule: Two weeks of work in July to September 2024

Traffic impacts: One lane of WIS 15 will be closed at a time. 

WIS 15 Salt Shed

Location: WIS 15 Givens Road in the town of Hortonia

Schedule: Anticipated July to September 2024

Traffic impacts: None

WIS 76 and School Road Roundabout

Location/Limits: WIS 76 and School Road Intersection in the village of Greenville in Outagamie County

Length of project work zone: 0.372 miles

Schedule: April 2024 to August 2024

Traffic impacts: WIS 76 will be detoured during the construction of the roundabout at the intersection of WIS 76 and School Rd.

Detour: The detour will utilize WIS 96, County CB, WIS 15, and WIS 76.

OUTAGAMIE AND WAUPACA COUNTIES

WIS 76 Improvements – Carryover from 2023

Location: WIS 76 from WIS 54 in the Village of Shiocton to US 45 in the village of Bear Creek

Length of project work zone: 12.6 miles

Schedule: September 5, 2023, thru mid-August 2024. Work resumes in May 2024.

Traffic impacts:  

• WIS 76 will be closed and detoured for Cold-In-Place Recycle and resurfacing in 2024.
• Minor work like curb ramps and frost heaves may be done under lane closures.
• Lane closures will not be allowed during holiday timeframes.

Detour:  The WIS 76 detour will utilize WIS 54 and US 45.

OUTAGAMIE AND WINNEBAGO COUNTIES

I-41 Rehabilitation

Location:  Breezewood Lane in Neenah to WIS 15 in Appleton

Length of project work zone: 9.65 miles

Expected construction schedule: April 1, 2024 to November 2024

Traffic impacts: Impacts to I-41 mainline traffic include:  

• I-41 northbound will be reduced from three lanes to two lanes in the vicinity of Green Bay Road for the majority of the project. Both directions of I-41 will have two lanes open for a significant portion of the project to facilitate the replacement of bridge approaches, other structure repairs, and reapplication of the high-friction surface treatment. Concrete pavement repairs will require single and multi-lane closures during night-time and off-peak hours throughout the project limits. Mainline I-41 traffic will be routed up and down interchange ramps during night-time hours to facilitate the replacement of some metal culverts.

Impacts on I-41 interchange ramps include:

• Northbound I-41 on-ramp from County II will be closed for the majority of the project. US 10 westbound to I-41 northbound system interchange ramp will be closed for roughly three weeks.

Several interchange ramps will be closed for roughly 2 weeks. These ramps include:

• I-41 southbound entrance ramp from WIS 114 (Winneconne Avenue)
• I-41 northbound exit ramp to WIS 114 (Winneconne Avenue)
• I-41 southbound exit ramp to Main Street in Neenah
• I-41 northbound exit ramp to WIS 125 (College Avenue) in Grand Chute
• I-41 southbound entrance ramp from WIS 125 (College Avenue) in Grand Chute
• All other interchange ramps may be closed during nighttime hours only for a maximum of three nights.

Impacts on local streets along the corridor include:

• Green Bay Road will be closed at I-41 for roughly 4-5 months. Jacobsen Road will be closed at I-41 for up to one week. One lane of Cold Spring Road will be closed under US 10 during daytime hours for roughly one month with flaggers directing traffic through this work area.

Weekend and holiday travel

• Construction will include work restrictions around holidays and special events, when possible. However, due to the extent and nature of the work, full-time lane closures along I-41 are anticipated to extend through holiday timeframes and special events.

Detours: Detours are anticipated for the closure of several I-41 interchange ramps:

• I-41 northbound entrance ramp from County II
  • Detour route will follow County II to County CB to US 10 to I-41
• US 10 westbound to I-41 northbound system interchange ramp
  • Detour route will follow US 10 to County CB to US 10 to I-41
• I-41 southbound entrance ramp from WIS 114 (Winneconne Avenue)
  • Detour route will follow Winneconne Avenue to Tullar Road to Breezewood Lane to I-41
• I-41 northbound exit ramp to WIS 114 (Winneconne Avenue)
  • Detour: I-41 to Breezewood Lane to Tullar Road to Winneconne Avenue
• I-41 southbound exit ramp to Main Street in Neenah
  • Detour: I-41 to Breezewood Lane to I-41 to Main Street
• I-41 northbound exit ramp to WIS 125 (College Avenue) in Grand Chute
  • Detour: I-41 to US 10 to County CB to College Avenue
• I-41 southbound entrance ramp from WIS 125 (College Avenue) in Grand Chute
  • Detour: College Avenue to County CB to US 10 to I-41

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY

WIS 42 Resurfacing

Location: WIS 42 from Pigeon River to the North Village Limits in the village of Howards Grove.

Length of project work zone: .852 miles

Construction Schedule: Construction is scheduled to begin July 8, 2024, and have a completion date of September 30, 2024

Traffic impacts: The project will be under a flagging operation during the mill and overlay. During the curb ramp improvements, there will be alternative routes for pedestrians.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY

WIS 76 Resurfacing

Location:  WIS 76 from just north of County II to just south of Shady Lane

Length of project work zone: 1.0 miles

Construction schedule: Seven to eight weeks (anticipated between late June 2024 and August 30, 2024)

Traffic impacts: WIS 76 will remain open to traffic during this project. There will be full-time single-lane closures within the four-lane section of the roadway. Flagging operations will be used to direct traffic near each project limit where WIS 76 transitions down to two lanes. Local, business, and emergency access will be maintained at all times. No work or hauling will be allowed during holidays.

I-41 Lake Butte des Morts Bridge

Location: Lake Butte Des Morts Bridge in Oshkosh, Wis.

Length of project work zone: On Bridge

Schedule: May 28, 2004 to October 2024

Traffic impacts:

Impacts to I-41 mainline traffic include:  

• Both directions of I-41 will be reduced from three lanes to two lanes across Lake Butte des Morts

Impacts on I-41 interchange ramps include:

• The I-41 southbound entrance ramp from US 45 will be closed for the majority of the project.

Detour: A detour route will follow US 45 to WIS 21 to I-41.

WIS 91 Bridge/Culvert Rehabilitation

Location: WIS 91 from WIS 116 to James Road in Winnebago County.

Length of project work zone: 0.06 miles

Schedule: 30 working days (sometime between July 2024 and October 2024)

Traffic impacts:  WIS 91 will be closed to traffic and detoured during this project. Local, business, and emergency access will be maintained at all times.

Detour: The detour route will follow County M to WIS 44.

WIS 116 Resurfacing

Location: WIS 116 from the village of Winneconne east limits to US 45.

Length of project work zone: 1.92 miles

Schedule: 25 working days (sometime between July 2024 and October 2024)

Traffic impacts:  WIS 116 will remain open to traffic during this project. There will be daytime single lane closures and flaggers will direct traffic around the work zone. No lane closures will be allowed before 8 a.m. to minimize impacts. Local, business, and emergency access will be maintained at all times.

REGIONWIDE

Northeast Region-Wide Deck Sealing

Location: Various Interstate highways, US highways, state highways, and some local roads that pass over these highways in Calumet, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties.

Length of project work zone: Spot locations

Schedule: 20 working days, which equates to about 1.5 months of work. This type of work typically requires work during the warmer summer months but may occur anytime during the 2024 construction season.

Traffic impacts: Roads will remain open. There will be short closures of two ramps. Crews will use lane closures, flagging, or lane shifts for brief periods during non-peak hours.

• Full closures will be used for short periods for the US 45/I-41 ramps and US 10/US 45 ramps in Winnebago County. Non-peak hours vary depending on the bridge location.