Put Safety First During Labor Day Weekend Travel

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) reminds drivers to put safety first and pack some patience ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend. Access real-time travel information for highways across Wisconsin via 511 Wisconsin at 511wi.gov or download the free 511 WI app.

“As we enjoy the final days of summer, remember that safety comes first on our roads,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “Sadly, dangerous driving has become so common in Wisconsin and across the country, whether it’s reckless, distracted or impaired driving. These preventable behaviors contribute to an unacceptable number of crashes and deaths on our roads. Whether you’re traveling near or far for one last getaway, please add these things to your packing list – allow extra travel time, give space to emergency responders, eliminate distractions when driving, take it slow in construction zones, and never drive impaired.”

Most road construction will pause over the holiday weekend to open as many lanes as possible. Significant road construction projects that may impact Labor Day weekend travel include:

North Central Wisconsin

• Forest County: US 8 is closed between Laona and Crandon. Traffic is detoured via WIS 55, WIS 64 and WIS 32.
• Iron County: US 2 has single-lane closures at the Michigan Border Bridge near Hurley.
• Iron County: WIS 122 is closed between WIS 77 near Upson and south junction of Iron County B in Saxon. Traffic is detoured via WIS 77, US 51 and US 2.
• Marathon County: WIS 29 has single-lane closures between the Clark County Line and Marathon County E. The westbound WIS 29 exit to Spruce Street is closed.
• Marathon County: WIS 29 has single-lane closures in each direction between Marathon City and Wausau (Purple Martin Lane to Little Rib River).
• Shawano County: WIS 29 has single-lane closures between Rose Brook Road to west of WIS 47/WIS 55/County K interchange in Shawano. The westbound WIS 29 exit to WIS 22 is closed.
• Wood County: WIS 73 is closed to through traffic from Industrial Street in Wisconsin Rapids to WIS 186. The signed detour route follows WIS 13, WIS 54 and WIS 80.

Northeast Wisconsin

• Brown and Outagamie counties: Two lanes are open each way on I-41 between Appleton and Green Bay. Watch for lane shifts and reduced speed limits.
• Calumet County: WIS 55 is closed to through traffic for structure replacement between Enterprise Street and School Street in Stockbridge. Signed detour follows County E, WIS 32/57, and WIS 114.
• Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties: Be alert for lane shifts and reduced speed limits on I-41 between County D (Military Road) in Fond du Lac and WIS 26 near Oshkosh. All lanes remain open during daytime hours.
• Outagamie, Calumet and Winnebago counties: WIS 441 remains open to two lanes each way between I-41 and Oneida Street. Watch for lane shifts and reduced speed limits. Ramp closures:
  • Southbound I-41 loop connector ramp to eastbound US 10/WIS 441 is closed. Southbound I-41 traffic should take westbound US 10 to County CB to eastbound US 10.
  • Eastbound WIS 441 off-ramp to County P/Racine Road is closed. Ramp traffic should take northbound WIS 441 to westbound County AP/Midway to southbound Racine Street.
  • Westbound WIS 441 on-ramp from County P/Racine Road is closed. Ramp traffic should take eastbound WIS 441 to County AP/Midway Road to westbound WIS 441.
• Winnebago County: WIS 76 is closed at its intersection with Larsen Road for reconstruction in the town of Clayton. WIS 76 traffic should use I-41 northbound to US 10 westbound or use US 10 eastbound to I-41 southbound.
• Winnebago County: US 45 is closed for structure replacement from County Z to County R just south of the city of Oshkosh south limits. Traffic is detoured via County Z and County R.
• Sheboygan County: WIS 28 is closed for bridge replacement in Cascade. No vehicles allowed to cross the bridge and traffic must follow detour via County A and WIS 57.
• Sheboygan County: WIS 32 is closed for box culvert replacement between the village of Cedar Grove and Sheboygan Falls. The signed detour follows I-43 and WIS 28.

Northwest Wisconsin

• Ashland County: WIS 13 is open from Butterworth Road to US 2 in Ashland. Watch for lane shifts as north- and southbound traffic is operating on the northbound lanes from 16th to 6th Street and operating on the southbound lanes from 6th Street to US 2.
• Barron County: US 53 South between Cameron and New Auburn is reduced to a single lane of traffic at multiple bridge locations. Watch for reduced speed limits and width restrictions of 15 feet, three inches on bridges.
• Bayfield County: WIS 13 is reduced to a single lane controlled by temporary traffic signals at the Sand River between Cornucopia and Red Cliff.
• Eau Claire County: Southbound I-94 traffic is shifted on temporary lanes from Otter Creek to Mallard Road. Watch for reduced speed limits.
• Jackson County: WIS 54 is closed at Wilson and Mill creeks west of Melrose. Traffic is being detoured via US 53/WIS 93, I-90, WIS 16, WIS 108 and WIS 71.
• St. Croix County: Watch for traffic shifts on westbound I-94 traffic at multiple bridge locations between Roberts and Hudson. Also follow reduced speed limits.
• Taylor County: WIS 64 is closed to through traffic east of Medford. Through traffic is detoured via WIS 97, WIS 29 and WIS 13.
• Trempealeau County: US 10 is closed from County K to Rose Lane in Osseo. Through traffic on US 10 is detoured via US 53, County HH and I-94. Through traffic on US 53, where it runs concurrent with US 10 between its northern and southern legs, is detoured via WIS 121, County HH and I-94.

Southeast Wisconsin

• Milwaukee County: I-41, between Burleigh Street and Good Hope Road, is reduced to two lanes in each direction. Motorists can expect various ramp closures along the corridor. Expect slower traffic in this area.
• Milwaukee County: Long-term system ramp closures within the Hale Interchange begin Tuesday (Sept. 2).
• Milwaukee County: Southbound I-43, between Bender Road and the Oak Leaf Trail, is reduced to two lanes. The Silver Spring Drive entrance ramp to I-43 southbound is closed.
• Waukesha County: WIS 83, between Golf Road and Vettelson Road, is closed to through traffic. Traffic is detoured via I-94, WIS 67, and WIS 16.

Southwest Wisconsin

• Columbia County: Three lanes open in each direction on the I-39/90/94 bridge over the Wisconsin River, south of Portage. Watch for lane shifts and reduced speed limits.
• Dane County: I-39/90 in Madison is open to three lanes in each direction. Watch for reduced speed limits.
• Dane and Jefferson counties: Two lanes open in each direction on I-94 between Cottage Grove and Lake Mills.
• Juneau and Sauk counties: I-90/94 near Wisconsin Dells is open to two lanes in each direction.
• Rock County: I-43 is reduced to one lane in each direction from Hart Road to the east Rock County line.

Access real-time information on travel conditions, live traffic cameras, work zones and incidents across Wisconsin:

• Download the free 511 WI app
• Visit 511wi.gov
• Follow @511WI on X
• Dial 511

Alerts and updates provided via these sites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, your focus should always be on the road ahead.

Motorists may encounter the WisDOT Safety Patrol, sponsored by GEICO, along sections of I-41 in Brown and Outagamie counties, I-43 in Milwaukee County, and I-39/90/94 in Columbia County. The fleet of specially equipped vehicles help manage highway incidents within major construction work zones to keep everyone safe. Coverage hours vary, but most coverage is seven days per week, up to 14 hours per day. Learn more about the WisDOT Safety Patrol.

Most Wisconsin rest areas are open and these facilities offer restrooms, amenities and a break from travel. The rest area along I-90 westbound near Sparta and the rest areas along I-43 near Denmark and Maribel are closed for reconstruction. View all of WisDOT’s roadside facilities.

WisDOT offers these safety reminders:

• Buckle Up, Phone Down – every trip, every time. Encourage family, friends and co-workers to take the pledge.

· Slow down. Posted speed limits apply to ideal travel conditions. Drivers are required to travel at a “reasonable and prudent” speed based on weather and traffic conditions.

· Eliminate distractions and focus on what’s ahead. Texting while driving is prohibited and very dangerous. It is also illegal in Wisconsin for drivers to use a handheld mobile device in work zones.

· Move over or slow down for emergency responders stopped along a highway with their warning lights flashing. That includes police and fire vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles. In addition, state law restricts the use of a cell phone in areas surrounding those vehicles.

· Steer It, Clear It! State law requires drivers to move vehicles involved in a crash out of traffic if no one is hurt and the vehicles can be moved safely. If someone is hurt or the vehicle is disabled, drivers should not risk injury by trying to push the vehicle out of traffic.

Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV) customer service centers will be closed on Labor Day. DMV online service is open 24/7 at wisconsindmv.gov.

Travelers may want to consider adding emergency contact information to their license data. Visit wisconsindmv.gov/emergencycontact for the convenient online self-service application. Only law enforcement can access the information and help expedite contact to a family member or other loved one more quickly in the event of an emergency.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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