On The Road Again

By John Dorcey

For many pilots and others attending AirVenture 2005, flight planning for the trip to Oshkosh includes a Rand McNally map and is better termed road planning. Drivers from the upper Midwest know that there are only two seasons - winter and road construction. The road construction season is at its peak in Wisconsin and will become obvious as you make your way to Oshkosh.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has a work-zone information website that will assist in your planning. Note: You will need to be familiar with the counties that you'll be traveling through. After leaving home, you can receive prerecorded updates by calling the WisDOT at 1-800-762-3947.

Approaching from the south (Milwaukee)

The busiest interchange on the Interstate System in Wisconsin, the Marquette interchange, is being completely reworked. This multi-year, multi-million dollar project will create congestion for local travelers and both confusion and congestion for the transient driver over the next several years. Your best bet to miss the entire work zone is by traveling I-94 West to I-894 West to Highway 45 North and finally Highway 41 North to Oshkosh.

Approaching from the southeast (Madison)

Highway 151 East is clear of delays until east of Waupun. Watch for lane shifts as the last few miles of four-lane construction to Fond du Lac is completed. Ramp closures at the 151/41 interchange may make Highway 26 North (east of Waupun) a better bet. Be sure to obey the speed limit as you motor through Rosendale.

Approaching from the northwest (La Crosse/Eau Claire/Wausau)

The Interstate system will have some ramp work and lane restrictions on I-90 East, I-94 East and I-39 South.

Approaching from the north (Green Bay)

Highway 41 South is clear until south of Appleton. Watch for minor work and some lane restrictions between Appleton and Oshkosh.

There are many federal, state, and county highways undergoing work projects. Some result in minor inconveniences while others will cause you to detour. Getting 'NOTAMs' from the WisDOT website should be considered a mandatory pre-trip task.

Those last few miles can get exciting as the thrill of another "Oshkosh" quickens your pulse. Here are a few tips from an experienced Wisconsin road warrior to help ensure your safe arrival:

Plan your route and verify construction delays and detours by visiting the WisDOT website and calling en route.

Make a refuel and rest stop (you know what we mean) before you get close to Oshkosh.

Approaching the AirVenture site, watch for lane and ramp closures as law enforcement adjust traffic to increase route efficiency.

Ensure that you use a 'designated driver' - everybody in the vehicle except the driver can gawk, ooh and ahh over the sights but the driver needs to keep their eyes and attention on the road. 

Speeding, and of course, driving impaired are two great ways to meet some friends of mine in Wisconsin law enforcement.

Wearing your seatbelt not only makes sense, it is the law.

A little pre-trip planning can ease the stress and increase the enjoyment as you make another trek to Oshkosh and AirVenture 2005.

FMI: www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/road/workzones.htm