WISDOT's Tom Buchholz on the I-41 project

·11 min·1 clip

Three major interchanges on I-41 will shut down in May, forcing drivers to find entirely new routes.

The episode is an interview with Tom Buchholz, the Northeast Wisconsin Region Director for the Wisconsin DOT, on the AM Fox Valley morning show. The host begins by discussing weather impacts on construction before asking about the I-41 project. Buchholz states that 2024 is year two of construction and will see a significant ramp-up. He outlines specific 2024 work: rehab on Highway 441 bridges at Midway and Tayco, replacing asphalt approaches with concrete to prepare it as a bypass for I-41 traffic. He then details the three major interchange closures planned for May: the Battle Road interchange in early May, the County J interchange in mid-May, and notes the Highway 15 interchange work is already underway. Buchholz emphasizes safety in work zones, urging drivers to slow down and avoid phones. The host observes the rapid demolition of the Highway 15 overpass, which Buchholz credits to efficient night crews. He explains the project's benefits: adding a third lane, wider shoulders, and improved interchanges. Buchholz discusses the Vandenbroek Road overpass demolition, scheduled for overnight work starting soon. He notes mainline paving will begin in the southern segment near Highway 96 and 15 this year. The conversation shifts to the scale of the 22-mile project, set to finish in 2029. Buchholz describes a geotechnical challenge at the Shearing Road overpass in De Pere, where soft 'toothpaste' soil requires wick drains to remove water and prevent settlement. He mentions the concurrent construction of a weigh station and state patrol post. The host asks about cable barriers being removed, which Buchholz confirms is temporary for the project. Finally, Buchholz lists other regional projects: I-41 resurfacing from Fond du Lac to Oshkosh (night work), a roundabout at Highway 76 and Larson Road in Winnebago County, and resurfacing on Highways 91 and 45. He directs listeners to the 511wi.gov website for updates.

As heard by us

A practical I-41 update with detour details and a blunt reminder to slow down.

Tom Buchholz uses AM Fox Valley to explain the I-41 project in plain, useful terms, from the 60 mile an hour work-zone limits and lane shifts to the bridge demolition tied to the Vandenbroek overpass.

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Why you'd press play

You get the I-41 detour plan before the cones start moving in.

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