2023 County Construction Updates

Project: CTH R (Black Oak Drive to Porter Road) Reconstruction

Project Description: CTH R's planned improvements include the design of a 2-lane facility with a two-way left turn lane, a new structure over the Little Plover River, and a 10-foot wide multi-use path along the west side of the roadway. The County has consulted with the engineering firm AECOM to design these improvements. The project is scheduled to be let in March and will be constructed by a private contractor.

County R is currently a 2-lane undivided highway with a posted speed of 45 mph. The reconstructed County R will consist of two 12' lanes, a center 14' two-way left turn lane, 4' paved shoulders, and 2' aggregate shoulders. A 24' ditch will separate the 10' wide multi-use path from the edge of the aggregate shoulder. Curb and gutter will be used instead of shoulders and ditches in some locations to facilitate drainage. The posted speed will be reduced to 40 mph. Construction is planned for 2023 and will be completed by a private contractor.

The roadway will be closed to through traffic during construction and any non-residents should use alternate routes.

Estimated Construction Date: Anticipated state date is early June with completion in November for roadway reconstruction. Utility relocation and tree clearing are scheduled to start on March 7th.

Project: CTH K (CTH D to CTH B) Reconditioning

Project Description: The CTH K project will consist of reconditioning CTH K to improve the roadway profile, pavement structure, and drainage along the project. Ditch slopes will be upgraded to meet current design standards and the deteriorated asphalt surface will be replaced. Roadway and driveway culverts will be replaced as well as the culvert crossing Bear Creek.

CTH K will be closed to through traffic throughout construction. Access will be provided to adjacent residences and businesses as well as emergency vehicles during construction, but all other traffic shall utilize alternate routes.

Estimated Construction Date: Anticipated start date is May 2023.

Project: CTH P (Wood County Line to Kramer Avenue) Resurfacing

Project Description: This project involves resurfacing CTH P from the Wood County Line to the Village of Junction City. It consists of resurfacing the existing roadway by milling and repaving approximately 2" of the existing asphalt surface. Culverts will be replaced in advance of the paving.

CTH P will be closed to through traffic throughout construction. Access will be provided to adjacent residences and businesses as well as emergency vehicles during construction, but all other traffic shall utilize alternate routes.

Estimated Construction Date: Anticipated start date is September 2023.

Project: 2023 Crackfilling & Chip Sealing

Project Description: Approximately 45 miles of county highways are planned to be crack-filled and chip sealed. Deficient culverts will be replaced, cracks will be filled with rubber crack filler. Road repairs will be wedged with asphalt prior to the chip seal process. New pavement markings will be installed. A map of the roads can be found at:

View the 2023 Chipseal Map (PDF).

A majority of these roads will remain open to local traffic during chip sealing and sweeping with reduced speed limits. Traffic is encouraged to utilize alternate routes until all roads are swept.

Estimated Construction Date: Crackfilling and wedging will start in early May 2023 and chip sealing will begin July 10, 2023.

There will also be additional information posted regarding the multiple-state maintenance project which the county will be performing in 2023. Any questions may be directed to the Portage County Highway Department at 715-345-5230

While typical construction work zones are prevalent throughout the county and state, there are also a significant number of maintenance and emergency operations that may be short-term or moving operations. Drivers are reminded of the state's "Move Over, Slow Down" law which requires drivers to shift lanes or slow down in order to provide a "safety zone" for a squad car, ambulance, fire truck, tow truck, utility vehicle, or highway maintenance vehicle that is stopped on the side of a road with its warning lights flashing. This law is critical as not all work zones are limited to major construction zones. These can include daily maintenance, emergency vehicle stops, utility work, and even garbage pick-up.

The Portage County Highway Department workers and their families thank you in advance for slowing down and driving attentively through our work zones.

There are also multiple Wisconsin Department of Transportation Projects planned for Portage County in 2023 and beyond. Details on these projects can be found on the Projects 511 Website.