The necessary construction work on State Highway 42 in Door County this spring might test the patience of many drivers. Still, it might also present questions on what constitutes “local traffic” and whether you are considered “thru traffic.”
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WiDOT) and the Village of Egg Harbor are working on two projects simultaneously: one stretching about 15 miles from the 42/57 split north of Sturgeon Bay to Rainbow Ridge Court and the other from County T to the north end of Church Street in Egg Harbor.
To be considered "Local Traffic" and bypass the detours, you must live, shop, work, or have another stop within the road closure area.
If you are traveling beyond the 42/57 junction and don’t plan on stopping before you reach the construction zone, you must take the detour route. This classifies as “Thru Traffic.”
If Mother Nature cooperates, the detours are expected to last until the middle of June. However, if work is not completed by June 28, the closures will end and begin again after Labor Day.
You can find the detours and alternate routes online through the Village of Egg Harbor website, along with helpful links and information below.
Other construction work beginning soon by the WisDOT:
Sturgeon Bay) To invest in Wisconsin’s transportation system, Governor Evers signed a $2.3 million contract to improve seven miles of WIS 42 from Rainbow Ridge Court in the town of Egg Harbor to Bluff Lane in the town of Gibraltar. Project construction begins Monday, May 13, 2024, and will finish in June of this year.
Northeast Asphalt, Inc. from Greenville, Wis. is the Prime Contractor.
Project improvements
This is a resurfacing-level project that includes milling 2” of the existing asphaltic lanes and overlaying with 2”. Other work includes installing centerline and shoulder rumble strips, upgrading the guardrail and associated excavation, adding gravel to existing shoulders, and pavement marking.
Traffic impacts
WIS 42 will be constructed under single-lane closures via flagging operations for both local and through traffic.
- Note: WIS 42 south of County EE in the project work zone is currently closed for a village of Egg HarborLocal Program project. The construction for this state highway resurfacing will utilize the local closure.
Detour: A WIS 42 detour is being provided by other projects. The detour will follow WIS 57, County V, County A, and County EE.
Project benefits
The purpose of the project is to improve the deteriorating pavement to extend the roadway's service life and upgrade other roadway deficiencies. The project will reduce roadway roughness and provide a smoother driving surface for motorists. The improvements will also extend the life of the existing pavement. New rumble strips will alert vehicles who leave the lane of travel and create a safer driving environment. Upgrades to guardrail and shoulders will further enhance safety.
More information
- Visit the WIS 42 construction website at https://projects.511wi.gov/
wis42shore/. - Website also contains information for a second WisDOT state highway project on WIS 42 currently under construction in Door County. Egg Harbor is conducting a third project on WIS 42.
- During construction, traffic impacts and construction operations can be found on the Northeast Region Weekly Highway ConstructionAdvisory at https://projects.511wi.gov/
weeklyupdates-ne/ - Wisconsin’s Northeast Region Twitter @WisDOTnortheast.
Work Zone Safety
Each year in Wisconsin, both highway workers and motorists are killed and injured in crashes that happen in highway construction zones. Motorists should slow down, be patient, and pay attention to their surroundings in this and all work zones.
For more information regarding work zone rules for motorists, the law restricting hand-held devices, and general work zone safety information, please see our work zone safety website at https://wisconsindot.gov/
