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With the arrival of warmer weather, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is announcing the end of the frozen road declaration, and that Spring Thaw and Class II road restrictions will take effect statewide on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 12:01 a.m.

 Class II roads include about 1,400 miles of state highways susceptible to damage from heavy trucks during the spring thaw period as frost leaves the ground. More information regarding frozen road declarations, Class II roadways, and roadway postings can be found on WisDOT’s website under “Weight Restriction Programs.”

• Declaration of Spring Thaw also means suspension of most divisible load overweight permits including permit numbers beginning with any of the following two-letter codes:  AC, AG, FF, MI, PB and RF.
  

• Non-divisible load permit restriction: The following permit types are not valid on Class II Highways during spring thaw and may not exceed posted weight on any road or bridge: AA, AP, BH, CS, CM, GG, II, MH, MP, SA, SB, SM, SS and ST. Transportation of liquid milk products under non-divisible permit type AA is also suspended.
  

County highways, town roads, city and village streets may also be posted or limited to legal load limits or less. Decisions to place or lift weight restrictions on those roads are up to local units of government. More information on overweight permits can be found on the WisDOT website by searching under “oversize overweight permits.” Haulers with specific questions can contact WisDOT’s Oversize/Overweight Permits Unit at (608) 266-7320. A recorded message with general information on road restrictions is available by calling (608) 266-8417.

NOTE: View this document online at the WisDOT Newsroom: wisconsindot.gov/news

Crews will resume work next week to reconstruct and expand approximately 12 miles of I-39/90 from Hart Road near Beloit north to the I-39/90 and US-14 interchange (Exit 171B) in Janesville. Construction crews are currently working on the northbound Interstate lanes in preparation for the upcoming traffic switch within these limits.

What you need to know:

• Electronic weekly construction updates for this project will start tomorrow (March 15) and continue through the 2019-2020 construction seasons.
• During daytime hours and weekends, I-39/90 remains open to two lanes of traffic in each direction.
• Nightly single lane closures are expected on I-39/90 in this area between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Friday.
• Anticipated construction staging between Janesville and Beloit:
  • Crews will finish work on I-39/90 northbound within these limits. Be alert for minor traffic shifts in this area.
  • In mid-April, all Interstate traffic is expected to shift onto the newly completed northbound concrete pavement between Beloit and Janesville. Two lanes will remain open in each direction separated by a temporary barrier wall.
    • The Interstate crossovers will be located south of the US-14 interchange in Janesville and close to the Hart Road overpass near Beloit. Learn more about the Interstate crossovers.
    • This will allow crews to complete reconstruction and expansion of the southbound lanes within the project limits.
  • Besides periodic nighttime closures, ramps will remain open at all interchanges via temporary connections:
    • CR-S/Shopiere Road (Exit 183);
    • WI-11/Avalon Road (Exit 177); and
    • WI-11/Racine Street (Exit 175).
• During construction, local roadways will be closed under I-39/90 as crews remove and replace the Interstate bridges.
  • Advanced notice of these roadway closures will be announced to area media, as well as posted on the I-39/90 project website and project Facebook page.
• In summer 2019, noise barriers are anticipated to be constructed along I-39/90 southbound between the US-14 (Humes Road) and WI-11 (Racine Street) interchanges. The remaining sections of noise barrier from Randolph Road to US-14 will be extended this year or 2020.
• This section of the Interstate project is scheduled to be completed in spring 2020 (weather-permitting).
• All lane restrictions, ramp and road closures, and work operations are weather dependent and subject to change.
• Remember to be alert for crews and equipment in this area, eliminate distractions when driving, do not tailgate, and drive with caution through all work zones.

Help us spread the word and forward this email to family, friends and co-workers who travel this area, provide the I-39/90 Expansion Project website link and encourage them to sign up for project email updates today! You can also follow the project Facebook page and share the project post(s).

Updated Spring Weight Restrictions Bulletin List:

Spring Weight Restriction Bulletin #3, 2019

Effective 6:00am Monday, March 18th, 2019 weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunk line highways for the entire state of Michigan, both Upper and Lower Peninsula.

State trunk line highways typically carry M, I, or US designations. Weight restriction information and updates may be obtained by calling 1-800-787-8960. For companies located in Canada or New Jersey, information may be obtained by calling 517-373-6256.

- On routes designated as "All Season Routes" (green or gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map) there will be no reduction in legal axle weight.

- On routes designated as "Seasonal" (solid or dashed red on the MDOT Truck Operators Map) there will be a weight reduction of 25% for rigid pavements and 35% for flexible pavements.

Extended permits will be valid for oversize only in the weight restricted area.

Single trip permits will not be issued for overweight loads or loads exceeding 14 feet in width, 11 axles and 150 feet in overall length in the weight restricted area.

Detailed Weight Restriction information may be obtained by linking to www.michigan.gov/truckers.

Please refer to the MDOT Truck Operator's Map for route designations.

Spring Weight Restrictions: http://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/APSWB/SWBHome.htm?bulletin=weight

Temporary, full closures planned March 17 through 21

Temporary, overnight lane closures are scheduled to begin this weekend on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) at the O’Hare Oasis for removal of the bridge beams on the over-the-road pavilion structure.

Bridge beam removal will be scheduled during overnight hours to minimize the impact on traffic. Electronic message signs will be put in place in advance to alert drivers. The temporary closures are necessary to provide a work zone and safely accommodate bridge beam removal.

Weather permitting, on Sunday, March 17, at 8 p.m. one southbound lane on I-294 is scheduled to close, followed by closure of a second lane at 10 p.m. and a third at midnight. Intermittent, full closures of southbound I-294, each lasting 15 minutes, will be allowed between 12:30 and 4 a.m. for bridge beam removal. All lanes on I-294 are scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday, March 18. A second night of southbound closures is scheduled for Monday into Tuesday, March 19, to complete removal of beams over the southbound lanes of I-294.

In addition, once southbound bridge beam removal is complete, two nights of closures in the northbound lanes of I-294 are anticipated overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, March 20, and again overnight Wednesday into Thursday, March 21, to complete removal of all the bridge beams. All work is weather dependent.

The O’Hare Oasis fuel stations and convenience stores operated by 7-Eleven remain open to provide services for both northbound and southbound travelers along I-294. During removal of bridge beams, the ramp will be open for fuel station access, except when overnight, full traffic stops are in place.

Construction in this area is being coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, Village of Schiller Park, Village of Rosemont and Village of Franklin Park, as well as local fire and police departments.

Removing the O’Hare Oasis will allow a fifth lane to be added in each direction between Balmoral Avenue and Wolf Road in Franklin Park, as part of the Tollway’s Central Tri-State Tollway Project. Following removal of the over-the-road pavilion, the O’Hare Oasis parking lots will be restored. The work is scheduled to be complete in 2019.

The Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) is being rebuilt from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street to provide congestion relief, update old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs. In 2018, the Illinois Tollway work began to repair, resurface and widen I-294 to five lanes as well as reconstructing barrier walls, medians and shoulders in the northern section of the project between Balmoral Avenue and Wolf Road in Franklin Park.

The Central Tri-State Project also includes reconfiguring the I-290/I-88 Interchange at I-294, rebuilding the Mile Long Bridge and the BNSF Railway Bridge as well as integrating Flex Lanes and SmartRoad technology. This work is part of the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. More than 220,000 vehicles use the Central Tri-State Tollway daily.

Maps, construction and detour information about the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project is available on the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com via the Interactive Tollway Map and under “Projects Overview” in the Explore Projects section.   

Updated Spring Weight Restrictions Bulletin List:

Spring Weight Restriction Bulletin #2

Effective 6:00am Friday, March 15th, 2019 weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunk line highways from the Michigan/Indiana & Ohio line north to and including the Mackinac Bridge.

State trunk line highways typically carry M, I, or US designations. Weight restriction information and updates may be obtained by calling 1-800-787-8960. For companies located in Canada or New Jersey, information may be obtained by calling 517-373-6256.

- On routes designated as "All Season Routes" (green or gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map) there will be no reduction in legal axle weight.

- On routes designated as "Seasonal" (solid or dashed red on the MDOT Truck Operators Map) there will be a weight reduction of 25% for rigid pavements and 35% for flexible pavements.

Extended permits will be valid for oversize only in the weight restricted area.

Single trip permits will not be issued for overweight loads or loads exceeding 14 feet in width, 11 axles and 150 feet in overall length in the weight restricted area.

Detailed Weight Restriction information may be obtained by linking to www.michigan.gov/truckers.

Please refer to the MDOT Truck Operator's Map for route designations.

Spring Weight Restrictions: http://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/APSWB/SWBHome.htm?bulletin=weight

This week, crews will begin work to reconstruct and expand I-39/90 from Kennedy Road, north of the WI-26 interchange (Exit 171A), to the I-39/90 and US-14 interchange (Exit 171B) in Janesville. Electronic weekly construction updates for this project will begin on Friday, March 22, and continue through the 2019-2021 construction seasons.

What you need to know:​ 

• I-39/90 remains open to two lanes in each direction during daytime hours and weekends.
• During the next few weeks, nightly lane closures and periodic overnight ramp closures are anticipated from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. weeknights. Crews will prepare the southbound lanes to accommodate all Interstate traffic on the one side (two lanes each way separated by a median barrier wall).
• In early April, work will begin on the northbound Interstate lanes and northbound traffic will be shifted over to temporary lanes onto the southbound side of I-39/90 during construction. When the northbound expansion is complete within these limits, both northbound and southbound motorists will be shifted to the new northbound pavement as crews reconstruct and expand the Interstate’s southbound lanes.
• RAMPS: During construction, short- and long-term ramp closures are planned at the WI-26/Milton Avenue and US-14/Humes Road interchanges.

                        In 2019, the following interchange ramps are scheduled to be closed:

• WI-26 to I-39/90 northbound – Four-month closure              Approximate Date of Closure: Spring/Summer 2019                 Detour: WI-26 and US-14
• US-14 ramp to I-39/90 northbound – One day closure         Approximate Date of Closure: Spring/Summer 2019                 Detour: US-14 and WI-26
• I-39/90 northbound ramp to US-14 – Two-day closure         Approximate Date of Closure: Spring 2019 and Fall 2019        Detour: US-14 and WI-26

                       View the anticipated interchange ramps closures for 2020 and 2021.

• ROADWAYS:

        Reconstruction activities will include bridge demolitions which will require closure of roadways under the Interstate, including US-14, WI-26 and Kennedy Road. The planned 2019 closures are listed below.

• WI-26 will be closed under the Interstate for three consecutive nights between mid-April and early May 2019.
• US-14 under I-39/90 is anticipated to be closed for three consecutive nights in mid to late May 2019.
• Kennedy Road will be closed under the Interstate for three to four months starting in early April 2019.
• Alternate local routes are required during these closures.

        A new roadway extension (Ryan Road) will also be built under the Interstate, linking Morse Street and Deerfield Drive. Sidewalks will also be provided.

• Advanced notice of these ramp and roadway closures will be announced to area media, as well as posted on the I-39/90 project website and project Facebook page.
• INTERCHANGES:

        The I-39/90 and WI-26/Milton Avenue interchange will be reconstructed into a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). Wisconsin’s first DDI opened in fall 2016 at the I-39/90 and WI-11/Avalon Road, south of Janesville.

• Watch the narrated animation video and other information on the WIS 26 DDI.

        The I-39/90 and US-14/Humes Road interchange will be reconfigured to a diamond interchange with traffic signals.
        A Collector/Distributor (C/D) lane system will be constructed on I-39/90 at the WI-26 and US-14 interchanges to separate high-speed Interstate through traffic from interchange traffic merging on and off I-39/90.

• The C/D lanes are dedicated lanes parallel to I-39/90 and separated from the Interstate by a concrete barrier. View the C/D navigation map.
• Traffic exiting at WI-26 or US-14 will need to merge off at one location and choose the appropriate ramp lane to their destination.
• The lane system, which improves traffic flow and safety, is in effect in locations throughout the state with the closest at I-39/90/94 and US-151 on Madison’s east side.
• NOISE BARRIERS: View information on I-39/90 noise barriers.

                         Noise barrier construction will also continue this year along I-39/90 southbound between the US-14 and WIS 11/Racine Street interchanges.
                         The remaining sections of noise barrier from Randolph Road to US-14 will be extended this year or 2020.
                        In addition, noise barrier walls will be installed in 2021 on the southbound side of I-39/90 near Kennedy Road.

• All lane restrictions, ramp and road closures, and work operations are weather dependent and subject to change.
• Please continue to be alert, eliminate distractions when driving and don't tailgate in work zones!

The I-39/90 construction work in Janesville is scheduled to be completed in fall 2021.

In 2022, US 14/Humes Road will be reconstructed to an urban roadway between Deerfield Drive and WI-26/Milton Avenue (view the US 14 planned improvements). A sidewalk/shared used path will be built on each side as part of the project. Lane and turn restrictions are anticipated during this six-month project, as well as full closure of US-14 from Pontiac Drive to Milton Avenue (view the construction staging). Motorists will be required to use alternate routes.

As a reminder, a public meeting regarding these I-39/90 improvements is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the AmericInn in Janesville (3900 Milton Avenue). A formal presentation is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Forward this email to family, friends and co-workers who travel this area, and encourage them to sign up for project email updates! You can also share the post on the I-39/90 Project Facebook page! 

Updated Spring Weight Restrictions Bulletin List:

Spring Weight Restriction Bulletin #1, 2019

Effective 6:00am Monday, March 11th, 2019 weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunk line highways from the Michigan/Indiana & Ohio line north to and including M-20 from the intersection of US-31 in Oceana County easterly to US-131 in Mecosta County, then north on US-131 to M-20, then continuing east on M-20 to US-127 in Isabella County, then north on US-127 to M-61 in Clare County, then east on M-61 to the intersection of US-23 in City of Standish, Arenac County.

State trunkline highways typically carry M, I, or US designations. Weight restriction information and updates may be obtained by calling 1-800-787-8960. For companies located in Canada or New Jersey, information may be obtained by calling 517-373-6256.

- On routes designated as "All Season Routes" (green or gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map) there will be no reduction in legal axle weight.

- On routes designated as "Seasonal" (solid or dashed red on the MDOT Truck Operators Map) there will be a weight reduction of 25% for rigid pavements and 35% for flexible pavements.

Extended permits will be valid for oversize only in the weight restricted area.

Single trip permits will not be issued for overweight loads or loads exceeding 14 feet in width, 11 axles and 150 feet in overall length in the weight restricted area.

Detailed Weight Restriction information may be obtained by linking to www.michigan.gov/truckers.

Please refer to the MDOT Truck Operator's Map for route designations. 

Spring Weight Restrictions:
http://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/APSWB/SWBHome.htm?bulletin=weight 

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that work will begin Monday, March 18, on an intersection improvement at US-20 and IN-2 in Rolling Prairie.

This project will see a “dogbone” interchange built at this location, eliminating the traffic signal and creating a bridge carrying motorists north-south with east-west traffic passing underneath. Roundabouts will be placed at the north and south ends of the newly-constructed bridge, creating the so-called “dogbone”.

During the project, the corridor will be closed to north-south (LaPorte to New Carlisle) traffic between CR N 500 E and Oak Knoll Road, while east-west traffic (Michigan City to South Bend) will be one lane in each direction from Oak Knoll Road to CR N 600 E.

State road detours must use state-maintained roads only. Drivers wanting to leave LaPorte on IN-2 must instead detour north on US-35, then north on IN-39 and east on US-20 back to the US-20/IN- 2 intersection. Drivers who would be approaching the US-20/IN-2 intersection from the New Carlisle side must instead utilize the US-20/US-31 bypass (St. Joseph Valley Parkway) by travelling south on the bypass, then west on IN-2 to reach the US-20/IN-2 intersection.

The project is expected to wrap up in mid-November.

Drivers in Northwest Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts at any time via the District’s social media channels: www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest or Twitter @INDOTNorthwest. Or visit http://www.trafficwise.in.gov for INDOT’s TrafficWise Traveler Information Service.

Fast facts:

• MDOT previously announced a currency parity policy effective April 1, 2016, for the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron.
• The Canadian rate for eastbound traffic will be reviewed and adjusted April 1 and Oct. 1 of each year.
• The rate adjustments are rounded to the nearest $0.25 and calculated based on the prior six-month average daily exchange rates between U.S. and Canadian currencies.

March 4, 2019 -- Toll rates paid in Canadian currency (CAD) will remain the same in accordance with the Blue Water Bridge parity rate adjustment policy.

            Based on the current average daily exchange rate, the toll rates below will remain in effect through Sept. 30, 2019:

•  Passenger vehicle tolls will remain $4 (CAD) per trip.
•  Extra axles will remain $4 (CAD) per trip.
•  Trucks and buses per axle will remain $4.25 (CAD) per trip.

Visit MDOT's Mi Drive traffic information website: www.Michigan.gov/Drive            

www.twitter.com/MDOT_BWB | www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT | www.youtube.com/MichiganDOT   

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that a bridge replacement project is set to begin Monday, March 4, on the 101st Avenue bridge over I-65 in Crown Point. The project is set to wrap up in early August.

During the project, 101st Avenue will be closed and there will be overnight lane restrictions on I-65 over the next couple weeks for bridge demolition, from approximately 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

A detour will be in place for 101st Avenue. Eastbound drivers will detour north on IN-53 (Broadway), east on 93rd Avenue and south on Mississippi Street back to 101st Avenue. Westbound drivers will detour north on Mississippi Street, west on 93rd Avenue and south on IN-53 (Broadway) back to 101st.

Drivers in Northwest Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts at any time via the District’s social media channels: www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest or Twitter @INDOTNorthwest. Or visit http://www.trafficwise.in.gov for INDOT’s TrafficWise Traveler Information Service.  

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the ongoing bridge replacement of I-290 over Salt Creek, located east of Addison Road in Addison, will require new lane configurations starting, weather permitting, Wednesday, Dec. 26.

The adjustment to the work zone will will take place on eastbound I-290 beginning Dec. 26 and on westbound I-290 after Jan. 1. The new traffic pattern will allow for construction of a median crossover, followed by removal and construction of bridges over Salt Creek. Lanes and shoulders in the work zone will be narrowed during construction.

The project is expected to be complete by October.
 
Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

Click here to find details on other construction projects in IDOT's District 1. Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at www.travelmidwest.com.

For IDOT District 1 updates on Twitter, follow us at http://twitter.com/IDOTDistrict1.