Governor Walker approves WIS 66, WIS 34 improvements in Portage, Wood counties

March 12, 2012

Public meeting to discuss planned construction activities scheduled March 21

As part of his efforts to create jobs and make sure Wisconsin is open for business, Governor Scott Walker recently signed a $5.1 million contract to improve approximately 13 miles of WIS 66 between WIS 34 and Stevens Point. The contract also includes improvements to WIS 34 between Edgewood Place and the WIS 34/66 intersection. Construction is scheduled to begin in late April or early May 2012.

Construction information meeting scheduled

A public meeting to discuss the project is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 21, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Linwood Town Hall, 3160 Mill Creek Drive, Stevens Point. The meeting will follow an informal, open house format with a brief presentation at 5:15 p.m. Business and property owners are encouraged to attend.

Project information

American Asphalt is the prime contractor for the project. Improvements include:

• Resurfacing WIS 66 (formerly County P), between WIS 34 and West Gate Drive.
• Resurfacing WIS 34 between Edgewood Place and the WIS 34/66 intersection.
• Replacing four bridges on WIS 66: the Mosquito and Alder Creek bridges in Wood County; and the Skelly and Mill Creek bridges in Portage County.

This year, a new safety enhancement was added to the project. The department is installing rumble strips along the shoulders and centerline of WIS 66. The rumble strips are designed to reduce run-off-the road crashes. The rumble strip installation locations include:

• WIS 34 to the Portage County line will have centerline and shoulder rumble strips.
• Portage County line to County HH will have a centerline rumble strip.

Traffic impacts

• WIS 34 will remain open to traffic at all times with flagging operations.
• Prior to June 11, 2012, WIS 66 will remain open to through traffic. Motorists can expect to encounter flagging operations and delays.
• After June 11, WIS 66 will be closed to through traffic and detoured via WIS 34, Portage County P, and County HH (Old US 10). The highway will be closed at the four bridge replacement locations.
• Local access to residences and businesses will be maintained throughout construction.

All work is scheduled for completion by October 12, 2012.

Eighty percent of the WIS 66 improvements will be paid with federal transportation funds; the remaining 20 percent will be paid with state transportation funds. One hundred percent of the WIS 34 improvements will be paid for with state transportation funds.

For more information, contact:
Communications Manager Kristin McHugh, WisDOT NC Region
(715) 421-8380, kristin.mchugh@dot.wi.gov