WIS 21- Winnebago County

Update: In May 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced that the construction schedule for the overall WIS 21 improvement will be advanced from 2027 into 2026. This advancement is possible due to the strong efforts of our WisDOT team in working through the design, environmental documentation, right-of-way plat development, utility coordination, and real estate acquisition. Our proposed improvement should provide significant safety benefits along the WIS 21 corridor between Omro and Oshkosh.

As part of prior coordination and public involvement activities, WisDOT has determined that the following intersection improvements will be included in our project:

  • WIS 21 & County FF/Reighmoor Road – a single-lane roundabout will be constructed
  • WIS 21 & Sand Pit Road – a single-lane roundabout will be constructed
  • WIS 21 & Leonard Point Road – a multi-lane roundabout will be constructed
  • WIS 21 & Oakwood Road – slotted left-turn lanes will be constructed
  • WIS 21 & Westhaven Drive – slotted left-turn lanes will be constructed

Location

Our WIS 21 improvements are separated into two individual projects that extend from just south of the WIS 21 bridge over the Fox River to just west of the North Washburn Street roundabout.

  • ID 6180-30-00 – Pavement repair/overlay from just south of the WIS 21 bridge over the Fox River to east edge of Omro and pavement repair only from this point to just west of Leonard Point Road (view project map).
  • ID 6180-31-00 – Pavement repair/overlay from just west of Leonard Point Road to just west of North Washburn Street roundabout (view project map).

Purpose and Need

The main purpose of the projects is to repair and protect the existing concrete pavement, replace outdated beam guards, and investigate intersection safety improvements along WIS 21. The last projects on this stretch of highway included retrofit dowel and grinding and took place in 2006 & 2008. A pavement repair and overlay improvement is needed to protect the remaining pavement. Safety improvements are also being proposed at several intersections along the corridor, beam guard needs to be replaced, and curb ramps within the City of Omro don’t meet ADA standards. This project will ensure that an acceptable roadway surface is created for the traveling public and that safety issues along the corridor are addressed.

Proposed Improvements

ID 6180-30-00 - The proposed improvements on the 6.1-mile pavement repair/overlay project include:

ID 6180-31-00 - The proposed improvements on the 2-mile pavement repair/overlay project include:

Schedule

  • Real estate acquisition for ID 6180-30-00 began in mid-2023:
    • Temporary limited easements (TLEs) and minor property acquisition for upgrading of curb ramps within City of Omro
    • Property acquisition and TLEs for intersection improvements at County FF/Reighmoor Road and Sand Pit Road
    • A member of our real estate staff will contact you if your property will be affected
  • Real estate acquisition for ID 6180-31-00 is needed at Leonard Point Road intersection and if needed, it is anticipated to begin in 2024
  • Design is ongoing and will continue through 2026
  • Construction is  scheduled as follows:
    • IDs 6180-30-00 & 6180-31-00 – currently scheduled for 2026

Traffic Impacts

WIS 21 will be closed and detoured primarily due to the construction of roundabouts at the three intersections.  The detour route will follow WIS 116 to US 45 to I-41. Local, business, and emergency access will be maintained.

Public comment

We would like your input on this project. You can download the attached comment form and mail it to project staff via a pre-paid mailer, email any comments to any of the below contacts, or give us a call.

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.

Contacts

Bill Bertrand, P.E.
Project Manager
Phone: (920) 360-3124
william.bertrand@dot.wi.gov

Address:
WisDOT – Northeast Region​
944 Vanderperren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304-5344