WI-175 Project Meeting Held at Theresa Town Hall

A business coordination meeting for the upcoming WI-175 highway project was held on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Theresa Town Hall. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss with locals and businesses on 175 how traffic will be maintained during construction. This also allows businesses information and time to discuss with their delivery truck drivers proper routes to take during each specific phase.

This is no small project, starting at Hochheim Rd. and continuing until County DD. Construction will begin in spring of 2027 – exact start depending on weather – and continue through the summer and fall with a predicted completion in November of 2027. The project will include pavement replacement from Menomonee St. to Depot Rd. as well as the replacements of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, storm sewers and water and sanitary sewer lines along WIS 175. The bridge over Rock River will also be receiving repairs during this project.

The project will be done in stages, with different road closures and traffic detours throughout each.

The first stage will be work on Menomonee St. This stage is predicted to only take a few weeks to complete, however, during this stage, the intersection of Menomonee St. will be completely closed to traffic as they need to dig 12 feet down to replace the storm sewer. This closure will take place around the school, and since school will still be in session, WisDOT will be working with the school to plan alternative bus routes and pick-up plans.

Stage two will reopen the intersection of Menomonee St. and start working on the southern portion of 175 from Menomonee St. to Rock River St. This stage will take approximately three months. At this time, half of the Rock River bridge will be closed with temporary signals allowing traffic to alternate back and forth. Also during this state, 28 and Forest St. will be closed, but Park St. will remain open.

Stage three the southern portion of 175 from Menomonee St. to Rock River St. will reopen to traffic. Rock River St. will be closed for access to 175 with 28 and Forest St. still closed as well. At this stage, this bridge will switch sides for where alternative traffic drives, meaning the side that was closed is open and the side that was open is now closed.

Stage four starts work on the north portion of 175 from Park St. to County DD. Rock River bridge will still have one lane alternative traffic, but Forest St. and 28 will now be open. Park St. will be closed for some of the work. This stage is predicted to take one to two months.

During construction, only one main detour will be posted for trucks and traffic on 175. This detour will begin along East 28, go down I-41 and then across 33 and 57. This does not mean it is the only way through Theresa; it is just the only posted detour by WisDOT.

Contractors are expected to maintain access for residents and businesses. A 12-foot lane will be maintained for short-term pickup and drop-off conditions such as deliveries, garbage pickup and emergency vehicles with temporary closure of that lane only when work is actively taking place on that lane. The Village of Theresa is working with postal services to figure out a spot for businesses and residents affected by the construction to get their mail. Parking along 175 will be strictly prohibited. The WisDOT officials at the meeting claimed that pedestrians should still have access to sidewalks during construction, even with sidewalks removed. The only time they would not have access would be during cement pouring and drying. Detours should be in place for pedestrians during this time.

If there ever needs to be driveway closures, the contractors will give the resident/business owner a five day notice. And expected water shut offs will have a three day notice.

Businesses are able to apply for a permit to put up signage for said businesses, allowing customers to know that they are still open. It is highly requested that signs stay simple (black lettering on white background with small or no logos), and it is suggested that businesses work together to create a uniformed look. Permit applications are free, and can be sent to Matt Lamb at matthew.lamb@dot.wi.gov. Signs, however, must be provided by the businesses themselves. Permits are needed to assure they don’t interfere with construction.

The presentation presented at the meeting should be posted on the WisDOT website. To find it, visit www.wisconsindot.gov, scroll down and click on Highway Projects, click on Southwest region (Dodge County region) and scroll down until you find WIS 175. Theresa Village President, Jody Steger, also said they get the presentation posted to the village website.