The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is in the process of developing plans for proposed improvements along WIS 23 in Sheboygan County. This website provides information regarding the proposed improvement scope, schedule, and traffic impacts.
Location
The project is located on WIS 23 between County P in the town of Plymouth and WIS 32 in the town of Sheboygan Falls in Sheboygan County. There are two projects identified by a unique project ID:
- Project ID 1440-41-71: WIS 23 from County P to WIS 32
- Project ID 1440-41-72: WIS 23 and County TT Intersection
Purpose and Need
The existing concrete pavement is deteriorating with cracking throughout and the asphalt shoulders are showing signs of distress. The guardrail has reached the end of its serviceable life, and several endwalls of culverts have areas of damage and corrosion. Bridges along the corridor are in need of maintenance to prevent deterioration of structural components.
The intersection of WIS 23 and Sunset Road has a history of crashes.
- Within the 5-year period from 2014 to 2018, there were 5 crashes with 3 of those resulting in injury.
- The approaching skew of Sunset Road is deficient and contributing to crashes at this location.
The intersection of WIS 23 and County TT has a history of crashes.
- 2014 to 2018 - Original data from project inception: 22 crashes with 5 of those resulting in injury or death.
- 2020 to 2024. Crash data shows 21 total crashes with 5 of those resulting in injury or death.
- Most crashes occurred when sideroad traffic was needing to cross lanes of traffic.
Proposed Improvements
Project ID 1440-41-71 is a resurfacing project from County P to WIS 32 that includes:
- Repair concrete pavement and place an asphalt overlay in the eastbound lanes of WIS 23
- Repair concrete pavement in the westbound lanes of WIS 23
- Resurface all asphalt shoulders on WIS 23
- Replace all guardrail
- Replace culvert endwalls
- Maintenance repairs at five bridge structures:
- Eastbound WIS 23 over Sunset Drive: Paint girders
- Eastbound WIS 23 over WIS 67: Replace joints, surface repairs, paint girders
- Westbound WIS 23 over WIS 57: Replace joints
- Eastbound and westbound WIS 23 over Sheboygan River: Rip-rap restoration
- Reconstruct the WIS 23 and Sunset Road intersection to right-in/right-out by removing the center median pavement and constructing new channelizing islands on the sideroad approaches
- The following displays show the proposed improvements for Project ID 1440-41-71:
Project ID 1440-41-72 is an intersection improvement at WIS 23 and County TT
Due to the crash history at the WIS 23 and County TT intersection, this project received federal funds from the
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The HSIP requires a data-driven and strategic approach to fund highway safety projects at sites that have experienced a high crash history. Proposed improvements include reconstructing the intersection as a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT), including:
- Shifting the intersection to the west, realigning County TT
- Reconstructing the center median for left turning movements only
- Adding channelizing islands on the sideroad approaches
- Increasing the length of all turn lanes to account for deceleration
- Constructing U-turn areas east and west of the intersection
- Realigning the Old Plank Road Trail
- New culverts and storm sewer installation
- New pavement marking and signing
- New intersection lighting
- The following displays show the proposed improvements for Project ID 1440-41-72:
What is an RCUT intersection and why is it safer?
A Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersection is a type of reduced-conflict intersection used primarily on 4-lane divided highways. RCUT intersections differ from conventional intersections by re-routing left turns and through from the side road movements. Motorists approaching the divided highway from the sideroad are required to turn right and then make a U-turn at the designated median opening downstream. This reduces conflict points. Large vehicles and semi-trucks can also navigate RCUT intersections with ease.
A conventional intersection on a 4-lane divided highway has 42 conflict points (see diagram). Each conflict point has some level of exposure and risk which can lead to crashes. Crossing conflicts occur between drivers within different traffic streams. These conflicts have an increased potential for right-angle crashes which often result in severe injuries. These crashes typically occur on the far side of the 4-lane divided highway when a driver attempts to cross the highway or turn left onto the divided highway.
Current configuration of 42 conflict points on WIS 23/County TT
Proposed configuration of the WIS 23 and County TT intersection reduced to 24 conflict points
For more information on RCUTS use and safety information,
click here to view WisDOT's RCUT information website.
Project Schedule
- Final design: Winter 2025/26
- Project letting: Fall 2025
- Construction: Summer 2027
Traffic Impacts
WIS 23 will remain OPEN to traffic for the duration of construction using continuous single-lane closures.
- Access to and from Sunset Road will be closed for a majority of the project.
- There will not be a signed detour in place.
- Access to and from County TT will be closed for a majority of the project.
- Sheboygan County will sign a detour.
- Old Plank Road Trail near County TT will remain open for a majority of the project, but will have temporary accommodations during construction. The trail will be fully closed for approximately two weeks at the end of construction.
- There will not be a signed detour in place.
- WIS 23 eastbound on-ramp from WIS 67 will be fully closed for approximately four weeks for work on the WIS 23 bridges.
- A detour will be signed utilizing WIS 23 westbound and the County C interchange to head eastbound on WIS 23.
- Sunset Drive and Superior Avenue/Riverview Road under WIS 23 will be closed for approximately six weeks for work on the WIS 23 bridges.
- There will not be a signed detour in place.
Business Resources: In this Together
WisDOT recognizes businesses located in work zones have special needs. It is critical that customers have access to businesses, and 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 website, businesses can find the following:
Public 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 throughout the design process. Please submit comments to WisDOT using one of the following methods
- Fill out the comment form (with prepaid mailer) and mail to WisDOT
- Email comments or questions to the contact listed below.
- Call the contact below.
Project contact
Sarah Ericson, P.E., Project Manager
WisDOT – Northeast Region
944 Vanderperren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304
Phone (920) 492-3511
Email: Sarah.ericson@dot.wi.gov