WIS 23, Fond du Lac to Plymouth
Sheboygan County
Corridor Expansion
JT took the lead as the prime consultant for the 7.3-mile WIS 23 expansion project, encompassing over 1,000,000 cubic yards of grading. Situated on a high-profile corridor that serves as a vital east-west connection between Fond du Lac and Sheboygan, the project was initiated to improve the overall safety and connectivity of the WIS 23 corridor.
The comprehensive plan for the expansion detailed the widening of WIS 23 from two to four lanes. This plan also outlined the extension of the Old Plank Road segment of the Ice Age Trail to the Sheboygan/Fond du Lac county line and the construction of a wetland mitigation site in Fond du Lac County.
During one of Wisconsin’s wettest summers, JT overcame significant challenges to complete this project.
The region’s predominant silty soils compounded the complexity of grading, making the task of building the WIS 23 project very demanding.
This corridor’s development had been in the planning and design process for several decades. The intermittent starting and stopping of design and construction further contributed to the project’s challenges. Yet, despite these hurdles, the collaboration between contractors and JT’s skilled engineering staff proved instrumental in building this critical portion of WIS 23.
The work was completed under two separate construction contracts. The first contract consisted of grading, culvert pipes, box culvert extension, westbound structure grading for the Ice Age Trail, and a wetland mitigation site.
The second contract consisted of concrete pavement, storm sewer, eastbound structure grading for the Ice Age Trail, and reconstruction of sideroads and median crossings to tie existing WIS 23 into the newly constructed westbound lanes.
Ultimately, the local communities will benefit from a safer and more efficient commute. This outcome was a testament to JT’s ability to navigate complex circumstances, reflecting a steadfast commitment to enhancing regional transportation despite obstacles.
Continuous pumping was employed at Theel Mitigation site to control high groundwater levels, ensuring stability as the site was constructed.
Continuous pumping was employed at Theel Mitigation site to control high groundwater levels, ensuring stability as the site was constructed.
Five borrow sites were strategically utilized to construct substantial roadway embankments.
The existing lanes of WIS 23 were redesigned during construction to seamlessly integrate with the new concrete westbound lanes at all intersection and median openings.
The existing lanes of WIS 23 were redesigned during construction to seamlessly integrate with the new concrete westbound lanes at all intersection and median openings.