WIS 23 (Ripon) - Fond du Lac County

Upcoming Public Meeting - November 17

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region announces a public involvement meeting (PIM) to discuss proposed improvements to WIS 23 on West Fond du Lac Street between Union Street and Jackson Street, on Jackson Street between West Fond du Lac Street and Blackburn Street, and on East Fond du Lac Street between Metomen Street to east of Douglas Street in the city of Ripon, Fond du Lac County. The purpose of this project is to restore the ride quality of the existing deteriorated pavement and upgrade other roadway deficiencies within the project limits. The improvement project is scheduled to begin construction in 2030.

WIS 23 Public Involvement Meeting
  • When: 5 p.m., Monday, November 17, 2025
  • Where: Ripon City Hall, 100 East Jackson Street, Ripon, Wis.

Project Location

WIS 23 proposed project corridor is approximately 1.5 miles total with limits between Union Street to Douglas Street in Ripon, Wisconsin. The project is broken into two sections.

  • Section One is located on West Fond du Lac Street from Union Street to Jackson Street and on Jackson Street from West Fond Lac Street to Blackburn Street. Section One Display
  • Section Two is located on East Fond du Lac Street from Metomen Street to east of Douglas Street. Section Two Display
  • The segment of the WIS 23 corridor between Sections 1 and 2 from Blackburn Street to Metomen Street is not included with this proposed project as it was improved in 2006.

WIS 23 is known locally as West Fond du Lac Street, East Jackson Street, Blackburn Street, and East Fond du Lac Street.

Proposed improvements

The purpose of the project is to restore the ride quality of the existing deteriorated pavement and upgrade other roadway deficiencies on WIS 23 through the city of Ripon.

WisDOT has created a public involvement handout, plan view exhibit, and typical roadway cross section exhibits for your review. Please feel free to download, print, and share with anyone who does not have access to the website.

Proposed Improvements/Scope of Work

All sections of WIS 23 described below will include the following proposed work:
  • Replacement of the existing concrete pavement and curb & gutter.
  • Reconstruction of the curb ramps to current ADA and PROWAG standards.
  • Inclusion of on-street bike accommodations.
  • Replacement of the existing storm sewer system.
The city is responsible for the cost of construction of the parking lanes. Thus, the city’s cost share for the construction of the street (curb to curb) is reduced when parking lanes are narrowed and eliminated when parking lanes are not constructed. WisDOT is responsible for the cost of the driving, turning and bike lanes.

West Fond du Lac Street (Union Street – Jackson Street)

The existing footprint of the street will be narrowed as the existing four-lane (48’ face-of-curb to face-of-curb) street will be replaced with a three-lane (46’ face-of-curb to face-of-curb) street with a center two-way left turn lane (TWLTL). The existing concrete pavement and curb & gutter will be replaced to provide an 11-foot driving lane and 5-foot bike lane in each direction with a center 14-foot TWLTL. The westbound bike lane will end just prior to the Union Street intersection. The eastbound bike lane will begin just to the west of the intersection of Park Street.

West Fond du Lac Street/Jackson Street Intersection
The existing Y-intersection will be reconfigured to T-intersection as shown in the display linked below.
Jackson Street (West Fond du Lac Street – Blackburn Street)
The existing concrete pavement and curb & gutter will be replaced to provide an 11-foot driving lane and 5-foot bike lane in each direction between West Fond du Lac Street and Blackburn Street. West of Harris Street, the street will have a 36-foot face-of-curb to face-of-curb width. From Harris Street to Blackburn Street, the existing 48’ face-of-curb to face-of-curb footprint of the street will remain the same except for the areas where curb bump outs are constructed and parking is prohibited. An 8-foot parking lane will be included on both sides of Jackson Street. Curb bump outs will be constructed at Harris Street, Watson Street and Pacific Street intersections.

Harris Street Closure Alternative

One alternative under consideration at the intersection of Jackson Street and Harris Street is to:
East Fond du Lac Street (Metomen Street – St. Wenceslaus Street)
The existing 44’ face-of-curb to face-of-curb footprint of the street will be narrowed to 38 feet as parking will be removed on both sides of the street. The existing concrete pavement and curb & gutter will be replaced to provide a 12-foot driving lane and 5-foot bike lane in each direction. The narrowing of the street footprint will increase the width of the grass terrace on both sides of the street. The increase in terrace widths will vary due to the alignment of the street.

East Fond du Lac Street (St. Wenceslaus Street – Sullivan Street)
The existing 44’ face-of-curb to face-of-curb footprint of the street will remain the same except for the areas where curb bump outs are constructed and parking is prohibited. However, the existing concrete pavement and curb & gutter will be replaced to provide a 12-foot driving lane and 5-foot bike lane in each direction and on the south side only an 8-foot parking lane. The existing Wisconsin Southern Railroad at-grade railroad crossing will be reconstructed. Curb bump outs will be constructed at St. Wenceslaus Street, Commercial Street, Grant Street and Sullivan Street intersections.
East Fond du Lac Street (Sullivan Street - Douglas Street)
The existing 44’ face-of-curb to face-of-curb footprint of the street will be narrowed to 38 feet as parking will be removed on both sides of the street. The existing concrete pavement and curb & gutter will be replaced to provide a 12-foot driving lane and 5-foot bike lane in each direction. The narrowing of the street footprint will increase the width of the grass terrace on both sides of the street. The increase in terrace widths will vary due to the alignment of the street.

Douglas Street Intersection
The Douglas Street intersection has experienced crashes due to drivers failing to yield to oncoming traffic and getting confused by vehicle lane positions when entering the intersection. Three alternatives (maintain the existing geometry, add offset right turn lanes on WIS 23, add left turn lanes on WIS 23) were investigated. The recommended alternative is reconstructing the intersection to provide a dedicated left-turn lane on the west and east approaches to the intersection for traffic wanting to turn left at Douglas Street. No change in traffic control is being proposed at the intersection at this time.

Connecting Highways

Connecting highways are local streets and roads that carry state highway travel through cities and villages. Connecting Highway Aids help local governments maintain these streets and roads at state trunk highway (STH) system standards and compensate local governments for the incremental costs of through-traffic routed over municipal streets.

WIS 23 within the city of Ripon from the intersection of Arcade Glen Road to the intersection of Douglas Street is currently a connecting highway. No change in connecting highway status for WIS 23 will occur because of this project. The city of Ripon will continue to own and maintain West Fond du Lac Street, Jackson Street and East Fond du Lac Street upon completion of the project.

You can find more information regarding Wisconsin’s Connecting Highways on the web at https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/data-plan/plan-res/connecting.aspx

Proposed schedule

  • Investigation and evaluation of alternatives: 2024 - 2025
  • Environmental document approved: Fall 2026
  • Final Design: 2026 – 2029
  • Real Estate Acquisition: 2027 - 2028
  • Utility Relocations: 2029
  • Roadway construction currently scheduled in 2030

Proposed traffic impacts:

The impacts to traffic depend upon the alternative selected for construction.

  • The No Build alternative would require lane closures to facilitate the work in the roadway.
  • The Rehabilitation alternate would require lane closures and potentially a short-term closure with a detour to facilitate the work in the roadway.
  • The Pavement Replacement alternative would require a long-term closure and detour during construction.
  • Access to businesses and properties would be maintained during construction.
  • A pedestrian detour would be marked to accommodate pedestrian access that is impacted by construction activities at the curb ramps and on sidewalks and crosswalks.

Real estate process

Real estate and right-of-way needs depend on the alternative selected. The real estate needs of the project will be better defined as the alternatives are developed and evaluated during this phase of the project.

In This Together program for businesses

WisDOT recognizes businesses located in work zones have special needs. It's critical that customers have access to businesses and that they continue to visit them, regardless of any road work inconvenience. WisDOT's In This Together program is offered to business and community leaders as an idea source as they plan for road construction in their area. On the In This Together, businesses can find:

Specially designed Business Coordination Guide for businesses to succeed during a highway construction project, includes information on:

  • Planning ahead
  • Staying informed
  • Keeping customers informed
  • Tips for businesses
  • Case studies that demonstrate techniques that have been successfully used in communities throughout Wisconsin.
  • Promotional samples showing a variety of examples of how businesses have promoted their businesses during construction.

During construction, temporary signing for business will be available. While signing and other marketing/advertising during the construction is up to the business, WisDOT encourages businesses to use the resources above to assist them with planning for construction before the construction begins.

Project contacts

Ryan Erdmann, P.E., Project Manager
WisDOT Northeast Region
944 Vanderperren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304
(920) 492-3517
Ryand.erdmann@dot.wi.gov