The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has been notified by the Dodge County Highway Department that State Highway 26 from Highway 33 to US Highway 151 will be closed on September 1, 2, and 6. This is necessary to allow for Highway Department crews to repave State Highway 26.
There may be times during this construction that the highway will be reopened to the public, however, it is important that all motorists obey the signs that are in place during this and any road construction.
As a reminder, when a highway is posted as “Road Closed – Local Traffic Only”, that means that you are only allowed to drive on that section of roadway if there is no other way around. You are also only allowed to drive on the section of the roadway where you live or have business.
This does not mean that if you have business on the north end of State Highway 26 in the construction that you can operate on the south end of the construction zone to get there. You must find an alternate route and only access State Highway 26 at the closest intersection to your destination. All additional travel on the closed road is illegal.
Failure to comply with the road closure will result in citations being issued for “Failure to obey sign in a construction zone.”
That citation will cost $213.10 for a first violation and $288.70 for a second violation. Both additionally come with 3 demerit points to the violator’s driver’s license.
The sheriff’s office urges everyone to please obey the signs and give our Highway Department room to work in their efforts to improve your daily commute. If you must drive through these construction zones for legal purposes, please slow down.
Remember it only takes a second for a tragedy to happen. Our highway maintenance workers have families that they all want and deserve to go home to at the end of their shift. Help them to do that by always driving safely.
Questions may be directed to Sheriff Dale J Schmidt.