The Wisconsin DOT is now one year into its multi-year reconstruction of I-41 between Appleton and De Pere.
Crews began expanding the major stretch of highway on April 1st of last year, and have finished up a few segments in the Appleton area.
Project Manager Bryan Learst tells SeehaferNews.com that they have been able to stay on time and under budget for the project, thanks to the hard work of everyone involved.
“We have a ton of support staff, both with our in-house and consultant teams,” he explained. “We have a lot of these larger projects that we’ve had in the region, so we have a lot of experience with our staff. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily seamless, but we do have a good plan and good people in place to make it run very smooth.”
The project has been moving south to north, with a major area of focus at the moment being the Highway 96 interchange.
“That’s part of the larger mainline reconstruct project from Wisconsin 96 to Lyndale Drive,” Learst revealed. “That southbound exit ramp right now at 96 is closed until August for reconstructing that and adding dual right and left turn lanes at the bottom of the ramp, extending the length. We’re also building a retaining wall along that ramp.”
Crews have also been hard at work at the Highway 15 interchange, which included the removal of a bridge.
Structural elements for the replacement bridge are currently being addressed as the DOT works to turn that area into a diamond interchange.
The next point of interest will be the area around Ballard Road.
“We expect that work to start up towards the end of April, likely after the draft,” Learst explained. “There’s some utility relocation still ongoing that needs to be moved for the contractor to be able to efficiently work.”
The entirety of the project is projected to be completed sometime in 2030.
For a full list of traffic closures and any future project plans visit I41Project.WisconsinDOT.gov.
