September 27, 2019 – Washington Co., WI – The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be installing a new cable barrier system on Interstate 41 between Cabela’s and the Dodge County line.
The first portion of the project from STH 144 to CTH K will be completed by November 15.
The project comes after years of local advocacy for I-41 safety improvements from the Sheriff’s Office, Highway Department, and local advocates.
“We’ve felt that safety improvements here were a priority for years,” said Scott Schmidt, Washington County Highway Commissioner. “The three crossover fatalities during the summer of 2018 on the stretch between Highway 144 and Highway 28 were really the last straw for us and we got aggressive.”
Following multiple accidents and deaths last summer, Commissioner Schmidt, the Sheriff’s Department and County Administration engaged Senator Stroebel, Representative Gundrum and the public. Local leaders and organizations requested WisDOT take action on the stretch immediately. The Washington County Farm Bureau passed a resolution requesting action and many members of the public came to support the projects throughout the process.
“We thank the WisDOT for their support on the two projects to tackle the long problematic cross-over accidents on I-41,” said County Administrator Schoemann. “This project is a direct result of the Washington County Board passing priorities of safe and secure communities and effective mobility and reliable infrastructure.”
WisDOT has confirmed that cable guards will be added to the entire stretch before October of 2020.
The county reminds motorists to be mindful of workers installing the cable barrier system. In addition, the public should be aware of potential lane closures on I-41 during the projects.