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:
- Milling and resurfacing of I-39
- Northbound (NB) I-39 from approximately Maple Ridge Road to Foxglove Road
- Southbound (SB) I-39 from approximately WIS 34 to Foxglove Road
- Milling and resurfacing of I-39 ramps and overpass roadways as follows:
- SB entrance ramp and portions of the exit ramp at WIS 34
- SB entrance and exit ramp at WIS 153
- NB and SB entrance and exit ramps at Maple Ridge Road
- Maple Ridge Road between the ramps and I-39 overpass
- Portions of SB entrance and exit ramps at Business (BUS) 51
- Reconstruction of portions of the I-39 SB exit ramp at WIS 34
- Reconstruction of the intersection of I-39 SB ramps at WIS 34
- Reconstruction of the I-39 NB exit ramp at Maple Ridge Road to widen the island for refuge and updating the curb ramps on the trail with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps
- Updating the curb ramps on the trail at the I-39 SB entrance ramp near Maple Ridge Road with ADA compliant curb ramps
- Replacing or repairing damaged or outdated guardrail and culverts
- Installing a high friction surface treatment on I-39 NB between the BUS 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 SB entrance and exit ramps at WIS 34 and WIS 34 between the bridge over I-39 and Old 51
- 4-6 week ramp and WIS 34 closures
- Signed detour via US 10 and I-39
- I-39 SB entrance and exit ramps at WIS 153
- Overnight ramp closures
- Signed detour using the adjacent interchanges
- I-39 SB exit ramp and NB entrance ramp at Maple Ridge Road
- Overnight ramp closures
- No signed detour
- I-39 SB entrance ramp at Maple Ridge Road
- Approximate 5 day ramp closure
- No signed detour
- I-39 NB exit ramp at Maple Ridge Road
- Approximate 10 day ramp closure
- No signed detour
- Maple Ridge Road overpass roadway
- Overnight closure
- No signed detour
- I-39 SB entrance and exit ramps at BUS 51 and I-39 NB exit ramp at BUS 51
- Approximate 1 week ramp closures
- Signed detour via I-39, WIS 29, and BUS 51 to the WIS 29/BUS 51 interchange
- I-39 NB entrance ramp at BUS 51
- Approximate 3 week ramp closure
- Signed detour via BUS 51 and WIS 29 to I-39
Real Estate
No real estate acquisition is anticipated.
Public Involvement
A public involvement period was held. The following information was presented:
Project Schedule
- Public Involvement: June 5 to June 28, 2023
- Complete project design: Aug. 1, 2024
- Construction: 2025