Project History

R.A. Smith National, Inc. has been hired by the Waukesha County Department of Public Works to provide construction management services for the reconstruction of CTH ‘Y’ (Racine Avenue) from West Julius Heil Drive on the south end of the project to West Pinewood Drive on the north end of the project. The project will involve the total reconstruction of Racine Avenue from its present configuration as a two-lane road to a four-lane roadway.  The intersection of Racine Avenue and CTH ‘ES’ (National Avenue)  will be realigned with the installation of a bridge on National Avenue over Racine Avenue.  A new roadway to connect Racine Avenue and National Avenue will be built approximately 500 feet north of the current intersection.

Work on the project began in December 2008 with relocation of the electric, gas, telephone and cable television utilities on the job site.

The road reconstruction will be done by Edgerton Contractors, Inc. They are anticipating road reconstruction will begin on March 30, 2009 (weather permitting).

On March 30, Racine Avenue (from West Julius Heil Drive to West Pinewood Drive) will be closed to all but local traffic.  Local traffic means only the families and businesses located on Racine Avenue (between West Julius Heil Drive and West Pinewood Drive) and those located in the subdivisions adjacent to Racine Avenue in the construction zone will be allowed access on Racine Avenue.   

National Avenue will be closed to all traffic (from Barton Road to a point approximately 500 feet east of the current intersection of Racine Avenue and National Avenue) on March 30 to allow for construction of the bridge and connector road.

Construction of the bridge, connector road and Racine Avenue from National Avenue to West Pinewood Drive is anticipated to be completed in late August (weather permitting). Upon completion of this work, National Avenue and Racine Avenue (north of National Avenue) will be reopened to traffic.  It is anticipated that the remainder of Racine Avenue will be reopened to traffic in late November.

In order to assist in planning for this project, a link to the detour route for the project is attached for your use. (or the DOT Detour)

This Web site will be updated on a regular basis with general information concerning the project as construction proceeds. Should you have specific questions concerning the project and how it affects you, please contact the construction project manager, Mr. Mike Mentzel of R.A. Smith National, Inc. Mr. Mentzel can be reached either by e-mail at mike.mentzel@rasmithnational.com or by phone at 262-317-3338.  Once construction of the project has started, a construction field office will be established and that contact information will be provided at this Web site.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding as this project progresses.

UPDATES

November 17, 2009

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of CTH Y.

August 24, 2009

On Friday, August 21, the contractor reopened to traffic National Avenue, the connector road linking National Avenue to Racine Avenue, and Racine Avenue to north of the new connector road.

At the present time, the intersections of National Avenue and the connector road, and Racine Avenue and the connector road, are being controlled by stop signs; however, within the next week to 10 days the traffic signals will be operational on National Avenue to control traffic.

While these roads are now open to traffic, it is important to note that traffic on Racine Avenue may still not proceed in either the north or southbound direction past National Avenue. Upon completion of the I-43 interchange work later this year, Racine Avenue will go through. Those individuals who live in the construction area to the south of National Avenue must still travel out of the area to the south through the I-43 project, while those living to the north of National Avenue can proceed north on Racine Avenue or to National Avenue but will not be able to proceed to the south past National Avenue.

While we understand the inconvenience that this situation is causing, the I-43 project work area is not large enough to safely allow for any traffic through the area other than those residents who live south of National Avenue.

Should you have specific questions concerning the project and how it affects you, please contact the construction project manager, Mr. Mike Mentzel of R.A. Smith National, Inc.

Mr. Mentzel can be reached either by e-mail at mike.mentzel@rasmithnational.com or at the construction field office at 262-682-4476. If you are looking for information on the State project at I-43 and Racine, please go to that project's Web site at www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/i43countyy/index.htm.

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