Public meeting scheduled January 27 to discuss replacement of Oshkosh overpasses

[The following is a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and we are pleased to publish it on their behalf.]

Construction starts in spring on Witzel Avenue and County K overpasses

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region in Green Bay is holding a public information meeting on the replacement of the Witzel Avenue and County K (20th Avenue) bridges over US 41 in Winnebago County. The meeting is scheduled Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at the US 41 Winnebago County Field Office, 2905 Universal Street (west of Prime Outlets at the WIS 44 interchange). A business outreach session will be held from noon to 2 p.m. and a general public session will be from 5 to 7 p.m.

20th Avenue overpass construction scheduled to start in late February 2010 and end in June 2010. Witzel Avenue overpass construction scheduled to start in March 2010 and end in September 2010.

The 20th Avenue overpass has the following design features:

• Two travel lanes in each direction, widened outside lanes for bicycles and sidewalk on the north side.
• Construction along 20th Avenue extends about 500 feet west of US 41 and 400 feet east of US 41.
• Retaining walls on both sides of 20th Avenue west of US 41 and on the north side of 20th Avenue east of US 41.

The Witzel Avenue overpass has the following design features:

• Two travel lanes in each direction, widened outside lanes for bicycles and sidewalk on both sides.
• Roundabouts at the Washburn and Koeller frontage road intersections with Witzel.
• Construction along Witzel extends about 800 feet east and west of US 41.
• Retaining wall in the southwest corner of the Witzel/Washburn roundabout.

The Washburn and Koeller frontage roads at Witzel will be closed to through traffic during construction. Access for businesses, local traffic and emergency services will be maintained through the construction zone.

Two travel lanes in each direction will be maintained on US 41 during daytime hours. Traffic may be reduced to one lane in each direction during nighttime hours (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) for construction of the overpasses. In addition, US 41 may be closed for up to three nights at each overpass to allow for removal of the existing bridges. Traffic would be detoured to Washburn and Koeller during this time.

The public is encouraged to attend to give input and ask questions about the project. Construction displays and schedule information will be available.

If you are unable to attend the meeting or would like more information, contact project manager Tom Buchholz at (920) 492-0142 or e-mail Tom.Buchholz@dot.wi.gov. The public meeting facility is wheelchair accessible. People who are deaf or hard of hearing and require an interpreter may call Tom Buchholz via the Wisconsin Telecommunication Relay System (dial 711). To allow time for arranging assistance, please call no later than three working days prior to the meeting.

For more information, contact:
Kris Schuller, US 41 Project Communication Manager
(920) 492-4109, Kris.Schuller@dot.wi.gov