KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Interstate 41/Wisconsin Highway 55 interchange ramps in Kaukauna have been closed since July.
It was to build roundabouts.
Now, the more than $9.5 million project in the city is finally coming to an end, and Friday those ramps re-opened.
The 41-55 interchange construction was a part of the 55 Kaukauna Urban Reconstruction Project that began in March.
For those a part of the multi-million-dollar work, Friday’s ribbon cutting has been a long time coming.
“The reconstruction of Highway 55 started nearly a decade ago in design and concept. With that, the plan has been, since day one, to look at reconstructing this to improve safety and for future capacity reasons,” said Tim Rank, WisDOT Project Manager.
After the ceremony, the ramps were still closed-off to the public.
People there could walk right in the middle of the roadway to tour the new roundabouts crews created at the ramp terminals.
“It’s gonna look a lot different than the last time they traveled on the interchange of 55 and 41, so I would say take your time driving through the roundabouts the first time, you know, make sure you’re following the markings and the signings, because it’s gonna look a lot different,” Rank said.
The entire project included creating four roundabouts.
One at both the 55/41 northbound and southbound ramps, another at 55 and Gertrude/Maloney Street and at 55 and County
It also involved reconstructing 55 from Lawe Street through the I-41 interchange ramps.
“This is one of the main arteries into the city of Kaukauna, and we need this open for commerce to have easier accessibility into our industrial park net worth,” said Kaukauna mayor Tony Penterman.
DOT officials said they planned on re-opening the 41-55 ramps Thursday night, after rush-hour traffic.
The project also included work to improve sewers, sidewalks, and street lighting.
The ramps opened just a little after 9 p.m. Friday.
