As warmer weather arrives and with it, the start of fishing season next weekend, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) asks boaters to be alert for construction crews working in the Rock River under Interstate 39/90, near Edgerton and Newville in northern Rock County. Crews are constructing new piers that will support the new bridges spanning the river as part of the I-39/90 Expansion Project.
Boaters using this stretch of the river will encounter buoys placed in the river to safely navigate through the work zone. Periodically, the buoys will be relocated as construction progresses.
To encourage safety, boater safety awareness signs and brochures have been placed at active boat launches along Lake Koshkonong and the Rock River. In addition, brochures can be found at some bait and tackle shops in the Edgerton area, and can also be viewed on the I-39/90 Project website, www.i39-90.wi.gov, under 2016 activities on the home page.
“The Rock River will remain open for boating throughout construction,” said Steven Theisen, WisDOT Project Communications Manager. “For your safety and the safety of the construction crews, we ask that all water enthusiasts using this portion of the river slow down, take extra caution and obey all boating laws.”
The overall I-39/90 Expansion Project extends from the Illinois state line to the US 12/18 interchange near Madison. Reconstruction of the nearby I-39/90 and WIS 59 interchange (Exit 163) is expected to be completed in November 2016. The Interstate widening and Rock River bridge replacement project is scheduled to be completed in early fall 2018. These combined projects cost $48.4 million.
