Location
I-39, WIS 34 to Foxglove Road
- Business 51 to Foxglove Road (northbound and southbound)
- Bull Junior Creek to Business 51 (northbound and southbound)
- WIS 34 to Bull Junior Creek (southbound)
Project Overview
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is proposing three highway and interchange ramp improvement projects on I-39 in Marathon County. Projects on I-39 northbound extend from 0.8 miles south of Maple Ridge Road north 6.4 miles to roughly Foxglove Road. The projects on I-39 southbound extend from 0.7 miles south of WIS 34 north 11.8 miles to roughly Foxglove Road.
The driving lanes and ramps are experiencing moderate distress, including longitudinal and transverse cracking. The existing guardrail in some locations are near the end of their useful life, and in other areas has been damaged and needs to be replaced. Several culverts need minor repairs and the pavement at the WIS 34 interchange needs to be replaced. Additionally, I-39 northbound between the Business 51 bridge and the Wisconsin River bridge has a history of vehicular crashes.
Proposed improvements include:
- Resurfacing of I-39
- Resurfacing of I-39 ramps and overpass roadways
- Reconstruction of portions of the I-39 southbound exit ramp at WIS 34
- Reconstruction of the intersection of I-39 southbound ramps at WIS 34
- Reconstruction of the I-39 northbound exit ramp termini at Maple Ridge Road to widen the island for refuge and replacing the ADA-deficient curb ramps on the trail
- Replacing the ADA-deficient curb ramps on the trail at the I-39 southbound entrance ramp near Maple Ridge Road
- Replacing and repairing damaged or deficient guardrail areas and culverts
- Installing a high friction surface treatment on I-39 northbound between the Business 51 bridge and the Wisconsin River bridge
Traffic Impacts
Motorists on I-39 can expect temporary lane closures in the vicinity of the construction operations and a temporary speed reduction from 70 mph to 55 mph in construction areas. Motorists can also expect reduced lane widths at some locations for brief periods.
In addition, ramp and overpass impacts are expected as follows:
- I-39 southbound entrance and exit ramps at WIS 34, and WIS 34 between the bridge over I-39 and Old 51 will have a full ramp closure and detour via US 10 and I-39.
- I-39 southbound entrance and exit ramps at WIS 153 will have overnight ramp closures with detour using the adjacent interchanges.
- Maple Ridge Road overpass roadway will be constructed using overnight closure. No detour set up.
- I-39 northbound and southbound entrance and exit ramps at Maple Ridge Road will have a short term ramp closures. No detour set up.
- I-39 northbound and southbound entrance and exit ramps at Business 51 will have overnight ramp closures with detour via I-39 and WIS 29 to the WIS 29/Business 51 interchange in Rothschild
Real Estate
No real estate acquisition is anticipated.
Public Involvement
Property owners and business owners within the project limits have been sent a letter and handout. Information presented about the project includes:
Comments on the project are being accepted through June 28, 2023. To provide feedback, please fill out the comment form below and email to project staff at the email address provided in the contacts section:
Project Schedule
- Public Involvement: June 5 to June 28, 2023
- Complete project design: Aug. 1, 2024
- Construction: 2025