Bus. 51 update for Whiting, Plover
Metro Wire Staff
The massive reconstruction project of the Bus. 51 corridor in Whiting and Plover continues this week, with the following updates from the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation:
Recently completed
-Utility crews completed relocating their facilities between MacArthur Rd. and Tommy’s Tpke.
Current activities
-Crews continue to widen the roadway between County HH and Minnesota Ave.
-Crews are digging the infiltration basin between Beech Elm streets.
-Utility crews are relocating their facilities between Tommy’s Tpke. and Elm St.
Scheduled ahead for the next week
-Crews will place asphalt to widen the existing roadway on the west side of Bus. 51 at the Tommy’s Tpke. intersection.
-Crews will continue to widen the roadway between County HH and Minnesota Ave.
-Utility crews will continue relocating their facilities between Tommy’s Tpke. and Cedar St.
Traffic impacts and business access
-The sidewalk from Minnesota Ave. to County HH has been removed. Pedestrians and bikes will need to use Minnesota Ave. and the sidewalk on County HH.
-The Porter Rd. access to Bus. 51 is closed.
-Motorists can expect lane closures, flagging operations, and lane shifts.
-Pedestrians may encounter some sidewalk closures and detours.
-Pedestrian traffic is detoured using Elm St., School Ave./First Ave. and the paved pathway constructed on the village of Whiting Utility easement. Bikes and pedestrians are encouraged to use this route to avoid hazards inside the construction zone. Some of the roadway for pedestrian and bicycle use has been delineated by white tape. Motorists on this route need to exercise caution as there will likely be increased pedestrian traffic.
It’s the second phase of the Bus. 51 rebuild from the southern edge of Plover to the northern section of Whiting at Minnesota Ave. The Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation is overseeing the project, and undertaking its costs, before turning ownership of the road over the villages of Plover and Whiting, respectively.
Changes include widening the roadway, addition of bicycle lanes, new LED lighting, reconstructed sidewalks, and raised medians. Curb ramps will also be upgraded to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, intersections at Tommy’s Turnpike and County Hwy. HH will also be rebuilt with additional turn lanes, and the causeway over McDill Pond will be widened
For more information contact the Korey Boehm, project leader, at the local field office, 2525 Post Rd., or by phone at (715) 544-6462.
The first phase of the rebuild, which took place between Green and Springville drives in Plover, was completed in November of 2016. The second is scheduled for completion next spring.