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Hwy. 18 being resurfaced from Fennimore to the Wisconsin River Bridge

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The repaving of Highway 18 from Fennimore to near the Patch Grove turnoff has been moving along quite well and is expected to be complete around the end of July. A second resurfacing project from near Patch Grove to the Wisconsin River Bridge is expected to begin in mid-August. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)

By Ted Pennekamp

Motorists driving on Highway 18 in Grant County this summer will have to use caution when traveling through construction zones.

Highway 18 from Fennimore to near the turnoff to Patch Grove is being resurfaced and there is one lane of travel for much of the way. The lane is grooved so driving a bit slower than normal might be a good idea.

“The project from Fennimore to near the Patch Grove turnoff is moving along pretty well and, if the weather cooperates, should be complete around the end of July,” said Todd Waldo, Wisconsin Department of Transportation project manager.

Waldo said the second Highway 18 project, the resurfacing of the highway from near the Patch Grove turnoff to the Wisconsin River Bridge, is scheduled to begin in mid-August and will take a few months to complete.

“Both projects are resurfacing projects as well as some widening of the paved shoulder in certain areas,” said Waldo. “While the second project is shorter in length (6.3 miles), there are more things going on and that’s why the time frame is similar to the first project.”

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

The project from the Patch Grove turnoff to the Wisconsin River Bridge 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.

Funding for the project is a mixture of state and federal money. Due to the bidding process, DOT estimates are confidential but bids are expected to come in between $2.5 and $3.5 million.

No public meetings are expected because it is a basic resurfacing project with no real estate acquisitions, community involvement or detoured traffic. Message boards will go up in advance of the project warning motorists of the upcoming construction. Information about the project will also be 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.

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