For area residents who find they can’t avoid the areas around the Foxconn Technology Group project, it often seems like driving through a war zone. In case you haven’t transversed the area lately, here’s what’s going happening with several projects.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be reconstructing 16.5 miles of multi-lane roadways in and around the Wisconn Valley Development, the Foxconn campus. The construction will include signalized intersections, lighting, landscaping, new bridges and multi-use paths.
Braun Road
As part of this construction, Braun Road, between East Frontage Road and County H, will be reconstructed to a 6-lane concrete roadway. The project to reconstruct the road from I-94 to 90th Street began in August. It will become what WisDOT calls a “six-lane urban roadway” It will feature concrete pavement between I-94 and County H. Braun Road remains closed to motorists until fall 2019. Access is maintained, however, for emergency vehicles and contractor traffic.
Included in the project this year are construction of a new box culvert at the Kilbourn Road ditch and the start of construction of the new eastbound roadway.
Construction highlights and map
International Drive
International Drive will be extended south from its current ending point to provide a new four-lane concrete roadway connecting Wisconsin Highway 11 to Wisconsin 20. The work, which started this year is expected to be completed next year, although WisDOT points out that all work is dependent on weather conditions.
For 2018, work has included grading and storm sewer installation. Box culvert construction and pond creation have been in the workload this year as well.
Scheduled to be completed in 2019 are concrete paving, landscaping and resurfacing of Louis Sorenson Road.
Construction highlights and map
Why is WisDOT in charge?
A year ago, WisDOT took temporary jurisdiction over several local roadways. The temporary assigned jurisdiction of these local roads was granted to WisDOT because of the department’s experience in delivering complex roadway projects that require coordinating aggressive delivery schedules, according to statements from the state. After reconstruction is complete, local jurisdiction and maintenance will resume.
Speed limits overview: The state has suggested a number of changes to speed limits on roads affected by the Foxconn project.
Shared use paths overview: Many of the roadways around the Foxconn project include a 10-foot-wide, paved asphalt path for bicyclists and pedestrians.