US 141 Crivitz Improvements

project locationThe Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is in the process of improving 1.4 miles of US 141 in the village of Crivitz, Marinette County.

Construction is anticipated to begin in summer of 2025 and finish in early November of 2025. A Construction Information Meeting (CIM) for businesses and property owners will occur prior to construction. The project team will go through detailed scope, schedule, timeframes, restrictions, and access concerns. Construction information can be found on the 511 Wisconsin family of construction project webpages following project letting and award of contract.

Project location

This project is located on US 141 from Owl Lane to S Junction Old Hwy 141 in the village of Crivitz in Marinette County, Wis.

Project purpose and need

High crash rates, coupled with safety and operational deficiencies, are the primary needs along US 141 in Crivitz.

  • Safety
    • Highway in project limits ranks among the top 5% of injury crash rates for similar highways in Wisconsin.
    • 79 crashes in 5-year study period (2016-2020).
      • 25 percent, or one out of every four crashes, resulted in injuries.
    • US 141 and South Street, and US 141 and County W intersections study noted left turns as the contributing factor.
  • Operational deficiencies
    • The roadway exhibits operational shortcomings, particularly at two US 141 intersections – South Street and County W.
      • The intersection at South Street is stop-controlled on the side road only and has no designated turn lanes on US 141 for vehicles to store.
      • The intersection at County W is signalized but also has no designated turn lanes on US 141 or a left turn arrow phase.
      • Queues can form quickly during peak periods, especially during peaks for seasonal weekends and holiday travel.

Preferred improvements

The preferred improvements have been selected with the completion of the Environmental Document. This project will include the following design features:

  • Roadway Diet – Converting the existing 4-lane roadway to a 3-lane two-way left turn lane (TWLTL) with new pavement markings. Dedicated left turn lanes for US 141 will be provided at the intersections with South Street and County W.
  • Resurfacing – Remove the top 2” of asphalt and resurface with 2” of brand-new asphalt.
  • Intersection Improvements at County W – The existing traffic signals at the US 141 and County W intersection will be completely replaced with new traffic signals that provide left turn arrow phases for northbound and southbound US 141 traffic. Curbs will be reconstructed with concrete truck aprons behind to allow for trucks to make turning movements.
  • Intersection Improvements at Old Hwy 141 – Reconstruct the intersection to include an extended dedicated right turn lane for northbound US 141 traffic.
  • Railroad Crossing Rehabilitation – Install raised medians at the southern and northern approaches to the ELS Railroad crossing on US 141. Rehabilitate the existing railroad track and replace the existing concrete approaches with asphalt.
  • Flume Installation – Remove the existing inlets and replace them with asphaltic flumes that will reduce maintenance needs and costs.
  • View US 141 design display map (PDF)

Safety improvement - Road Diet

road

A “road diet” consists of converting a four-lane roadway with two lanes each direction to a three-lane roadway (one in each direction plus a center left-turn lane).

Benefits of proposed improvements

The proposed improvements provide motorists with a separate left turn lane for all access points along the project route. Converting the current roadway to a three-lane roadway with a dedicated left-turn lane would provide:

  • Crash Reduction
    • Left turning vehicles removed from through traffic lane... which reduces the potential for rear-end crashes.
    • Weaving vehicles attempting to avoid stopped/slowing vehicles are eliminated... which reduces the potential for sideswipe crashes.
    • Left-turning vehicles from side roads/driveways can store in the median to make a turn in two stages.
    • Fewer lanes of on-coming traffic for turning maneuvers reduce potential crash points.
  • Eliminates through-traffic vehicles using an additional lane as a passing lane.
    • TWLTL allows local traffic safer access to businesses and the local roadway network.
    • TWLTL naturally creates traffic calming which in turn reduces speeds.
  • Maintains capacity
    • TWLTL handles approximately 16,000 vehicles per day (VPD).
    • The average daily traffic along US 141 in the village of Crivitz averaged 8,800 VPD to a summer peak of 11,000 VPD.
  • Improves riding surface
    • The riding surface leading up to the railroad crossing will be resurfaced, resulting in a smoother roadway for motorists, less wear on vehicles, extended pavement life and decreased maintenance costs.

Potential traffic impacts

US 141 is expected to remain open during the majority of construction utilizing lane closures and flagging operations. Access to businesses and properties would be maintained during construction.

Proposed impacts during construction include

  • Traffic on US 141 will include one travel lane in each direction during a majority of the construction.
  • Access to driveways and side roads will be provided for the majority of construction, but temporary closures may occur during working hours.
    • Any closures or temporary impacts will be communicated to the property and business owners prior to any work being done.
  • The roadway will be OPEN to full four-lane roadway for Labor Day weekend.
  • The southern junction of Old Hwy 141 at US 141 will be fully closed with no signed detour.
  • The western leg of County W at US 141 will be permitted to be closed for a maximum of five consecutive days with a detour posted by Marinette County.
  • The eastern leg of County W at US 141 will be permitted to be closed for a maximum of five consecutive days with a detour posted by Marinette County.
  • US 141 at the railroad crossing will be permitted to be closed for a maximum of five consecutive days with a detour posted by the contractor that utilizes WIS 64 and County W. Adjacent driveways will be closed only for businesses that have additional access points. Communication with the affected property and business owners will occur prior to any work being done.

Schedule

Real estate

Real estate and right-of-way will be needed for the project. A member of WisDOT's real estate team will contact you if your property is affected by the project.

Business Resource: WisDOT’s In This Together program

WisDOT recognizes businesses located in work zones or impacted by detour routes have special needs. WisDOT's In This Together program is offered to businesses, organizations and community leaders as an idea source as they plan for road construction in their area. It includes promotional examples, case studies, and a specially designed Business Coordination Guide with information on:

  • Planning ahead
  • Staying informed
  • Keeping customers informed
  • Tips for businesses
  • Visit WisDOT’s In This Together website at www.wisconsindot.gov/Together

Public input/comments

Your comments assist us in developing a project that will serve the needs of the traveling public as well as the needs of the local community and are welcomed and appreciated. Please submit comments to WisDOT using one of the following methods.

project image Project contacts

Kurt Vogel, P.E.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
944 Vanderperren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304
Phone: (920) 362-1732
Email: kurt.vogel@dot.wi.gov

Mark Kantola, Communications Manager
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
944 Vanderperren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304
Phone: (920) 492-4153
Email: mark.kantola@dot.wi.gov

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