PEMBINE, Wis. - Motorists driving the stretch of Highway 141 between Niagara, Wis. and Pembine, Wis., will notice there are passing lanes for vehicles going in both directions.
The Marinette County project, within the nine mile stretch between Niagara and Pembine, was recently completed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The project was a 3R program -resurfacing, reconditioning and reconstruction.
Area residents feel the passing lanes with dotted lines in both directions could be confusing to some motorists.
Steven Noel, project supervisor for the WisDOT's Marinette County project, said details in the engineering plans are consistent with practice.
"In this situation, if a vehicle is in the passing lane area and is in the left lane, that vehicle is operating the same as it would on any other normal two-lane highway," Noel said. "That vehicle cannot cross the centerline since it is in a passing lane, and there should only be passing vehicles in the right lane or slower lane."
He added if a vehicle approaching the passing lane area in the opposite direction has enough sight distance and sees the area is clear, that motorist can exercise due caution and pass.
WisDOT officials said the idea behind this is to increase opportunities to pass and not to restrict them in one direction. Noel said the 3R program evaluates the condition of the highway and an appropriate treatment is selected to keep the highway in serviceable condition.
Cost of the U.S. 141 project was approximately $4,500,000. It began May 27 and was completed Sept. 3.
Noel said WisDOT measures the ride characteristics of each highway every two years and compares the data to previous years.
"Then we plot a regression curve and using data such as traffic loading and truck data crash rates, etc. we predict when the highway is within six years of needed repair," he said. "Our program is a six-year improvement program so once it is identified it ends up in the program. After that we scope the level of improvement so we can remain consistent in our treatment of the roads in the Region and can establish program levels."
Noel added this section of highway has concrete that had been resurfaced.
"We rubbilized it which means we broke the concrete pavement into smaller pieces. Otherwise the cracks in the old concrete would reflect into the new pavement," Noel said. "Also it helps to seat the old concrete into the gravel below and make for a firm riding surface."
"Then we resurfaced with 6.5 inches of new asphalt," he said. "We also constructed two new passing lanes to improve passing opportunities in the area."
"We will be doing this level of improvement over the next five years on the rest of U.S. Highway 141 down to the village of Pound," Noel said. "We've already done the piece from Wausaukee to Amberg."
Lisa M. Hoffmann's e-mail address is lhoffmann@ironmountaindailynews.com