Thu, Jul 20, 2006
If Not By Air... Here's Some Info For The Highway
by ANN Correspondent John Dorcey
Summer in Wisconsin can mean only two things to ANN readers --
AirVenture, and the inevitable road construction between you and
Oshkosh. Like preflight planning, road trip planning will make your
trip less stressful. It may even mean arriving in Oshkosh when you
had hoped. There are excellent planning tools available for the
savvy road warrior.
Just like preflight planning, you should have an idea of your
general route including airways, or highways numbers. There are
plenty of on-line resources available for that preliminary
planning. Rand McNally and Mapquest are two well-known resources.
The Automobile Association of America (AAA) provides great planning
tools on their web site. AAA also has information on gas prices,
roadside assistance, and recommended repair facilities. AAA
membership is not required for much of the available data.
Armed with your
preliminary route data you can locate those dreaded detours. The US
DOT provides links to all 50 states through their web site. Several
clicks later, you'll know exactly where the detours are. After you
visit three or more state web sites, you will begin to notice not
so subtle differences. Layout and number of levels to bore through
to get needed information are just some of the differences. Not all
states share the same detailed data and some require more clicks
then others. Keep looking, construction, and detour data is
there.
Once you have entered Wisconsin, your planning details should
become more specific. The state's DOT provides up-to-the-minute
road construction data through three outlet types. A visit to their
web site (see below) results in detailed information regarding both
construction areas and detours. Dedicated radio broadcasts
providing timely details for specific construction areas are
available. During typical office hours, you can call the regional
transportation offices; numbers are listed on the web site.
Major routes to Oshkosh have road construction considerations.
Currently, with just days to AirVenture, you should know that the
following roads are affected:
US 151 from Iowa to Fond du Lac
- Construction areas are near Platteville, Madison and Fond du
Lac. There are no off-road detours. Some sections are limited to a
single lane and there are several ramp closures.
I-94 from Minneapolis to Madison
- There are at least four active construction areas between Eau
Claire and Madison. You have to contend only with lane reductions
and possible ramp closures.
I-90 from La Crosse to Madison
- There are no construction areas until after merging with I-94
in Tomah. After Tomah, expect two areas of land closures.
I-90 from Rockford to Madison
- There are no construction areas over this route this year.
I-94 Chicago to Milwaukee
- There are no construction areas over this route this year. Use
I-894 around Milwaukee to avoid the Marquette Interchange
reconstruction.
US 41 Milwaukee to Oshkosh
- Construction in Fond du Lac County will be the greatest road
obstacle this year. A detour using state highways will add both
time and miles to your trip.
This data was accurate the first days of July, be sure to get
updates prior to your departure. Drive safe, arrive safe.
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