I-43 work could cause problems for drivers

Posted at noon on March 16, 2017

The Brillion News

The state Department of Transportation is reminding drivers that long-term lane closures on I-43 in Brown and Manitowoc counties begin Monday, March 20.

The closures will result in only one lane of travel open to drivers on segments of I-43 in the project work areas. Motorists may experience delays during peak travel times. The closures are part of an I-43 resurfacing and bridge structure project taking place between March 20 and November 2017. Some local roads and I-43 ramps will also close for construction.

Because of the traffic congestion concerns, the State Patrol will be targeting violation in the area where work is scheduled.

Brown County 

The Brown County I-43 resurfacing and bridge overlay project will take place on 10.6 miles of I-43 between Denmark and Bellevue, from State 96 to State  172.

1. Monday, March 20, 2017 to June 2017: Long-term, single-lane closures on northbound and southbound I-43 between State 96 and 172. Expect delays at peak travel times (morning/evening commute, large events in Brown County).

1. Monday, March 20 to late May: County MM overpass at I-43 CLOSED and detoured for bridge deck replacement. County MM/I-43 ramps will remain open during deck replacement, but motorists will not be able to cross the bridge deck over I-43. Motorists seeking access to U.S. 141/29 from southbound I-43 will be directed to use County JJ/I-43 exit.

1. Monday, March 20, to Friday, March 24, nighttime only: All lanes of I-43 under the County MM bridge CLOSED nightly, 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m., for removal of the bridge deck at County MM.

Manitowoc County 

The Manitowoc County I-43 resurfacing, bridge overlays and bridge replacement project will take place on 6.5 miles of I-43 between Clover Road and Point Creek Road.

1. Monday, March 20 to November 2017: I-43 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Point Creek Road and Silver Creek Road. Expect delays at peak travel times (morning/evening commute, large events in Manitowoc County).

2. Traffic will run in one lane, bi-directionally, in either the southbound or northbound lanes during construction.

3. Friday, March 24 to July 2017: Southbound I-43 on-ramp from County C CLOSED.

4. Motorists will be directed to use the I-43/U.S. 151 interchange ramps to the north or the I-43/County XX interchange ramps to the south.

5. Monday, March 27 to June 2017: County U (Newton Road) will be CLOSED under I-43 while bridge replacement takes place.

Special I-43 work zone law enforcement

The Wisconsin State Patrol will provide special enforcement in the I-43 project work zones to ensure worker and driver safety. Motorists are reminded to obey work zone speed limits. Talking on a mobile device in a work zone (without the aid of a hands-free device) is illegal. Texting and driving is always illegal. Fines double in work zones. Please limit all distractions while driving in a work zone.

For I-43 project construction details, schedule and future traffic impacts, please see the project website at http://projects.511wi.gov/i43ner/.