Expect company on Wisconsin roads during Fourth of July weekend travel

MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) reminds travelers over the Fourth of July weekend to celebrate safe driving and expect slower traffic in work zones and along major travel corridors. According to AAA, about 1.4 million people will travel on Wisconsin roads this holiday weekend. Peak travel times are expected between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday (July 3) and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday (July 7). WisDOT encourages drivers to “know before you go” with 511wi.gov or the 511 Wisconsin mobile app.

“Wisconsinites are expected to travel in record numbers for the Fourth of July weekend, so we urge drivers to keep their eyes up and speeds down,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “Together, we can make a difference on our roads with safe driving behaviors. Buckle up, drive sober and be courteous to other motorists. These simple steps can help save lives and prevent crashes on Wisconsin roads.”

Most road construction will pause over the holiday weekend to open as many lanes as possible. Significant road construction projects that may impact Fourth of July weekend travel include:

Northwest Wisconsin

Barron and Washburn counties: Both directions of Highway 53 traffic are located on the southbound lanes, between 26th Avenue north of Rice Lake to Pine Grover Road south of Sarona. Watch for reduced speed limits.

Bayfield County: Highway 13 in the City of Washburn is closed to traffic from Thompson Road/Charles Street to Second Avenue West.

Vehicles weighing 20 tons or less are detoured via West Bigelow Street, West Holman Lakeview Drive, Omaha Street East and First Avenue West.

Vehicles weighing more than 20 tons are detoured via Highway 2, County Highway A and Highway 13.

Bayfield County: Highway 13 west of Cornucopia is reduced to a single lane controlled by temporary traffic signals.

Chippewa County: The ramp from County Highway S to southbound Highway 53 northwest of Chippewa Falls is closed. One lane is open each way on County Highway S at the Highway 53 interchange. Watch for lane shifts and be alert to a lane width restriction of 10.5 feet in both lanes.

Dunn County: Highway 64, from County Highway O north of Boyceville east to the north junction of County Highway W, is closed to through traffic. Traffic is detoured via Highway 19, Highway 170, Highway 40 and Highway 53. Highway 25, which runs north and south through the project limits, remains open to traffic.

Pierce County: Highway 35 is reduced to a single lane of traffic, controlled by temporary traffic signals, between Chestnut and Green streets in Maiden Rock.

Pierce County: Highway 35 is reduced to a single lane of traffic, controlled by temporary traffic signals, at the Big River Bridge southeast of Prescott.

Pierce County: Highway 10 from Highway 29/35 in Prescott to the south junction of Highway 63 west of Ellsworth is closed to through traffic. Traffic is detoured via highways 29/35 and 65.

Sawyer County: Highway 70 is reduced to a single lane of traffic controlled by stop signs at Log Creek northwest of the unincorporated community of Oxbo.

Washburn County: Both directions of Highway 53 are located on the southbound lanes between Wildcat Road, southeast of Spooner, and County Highway A. Watch for reduced speed limits.

Access real-time information on travel conditions, live traffic cameras, work zones and incidents across Wisconsin:

Download the free 511 Wisconsin app.Visit 511wi.gov.Follow @511WI on X.Dial 511.

Alerts and updates provided via these sites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, your focus should always be on the road ahead.

The WisDOT Safety Patrol, sponsored by GEICO, is a fleet of specially equipped vehicles located in key WisDOT construction projects that manage highway incidents to keep everyone safe. Learn more about the WisDOT Safety Patrol.

All Wisconsin rest areas are open. These facilities offer restrooms, amenities and a break from travel.

WisDOT offers these safety reminders:

Buckle Up, Phone Down – every trip, every time. Encourage family, friends and coworkers to take the pledge.

· Slow down. Posted speed limits apply to ideal travel conditions. Drivers are required to travel at a “reasonable and prudent” speed based on weather and traffic conditions.

· Eliminate distractions and focus on what’s ahead. Texting while driving is prohibited and very dangerous. It is also illegal in Wisconsin for drivers to use a handheld mobile device in work zones.

· Move over or slow down for emergency responders stopped along a highway with their warning lights flashing. That includes police and fire vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles. In addition, state law restricts use of a cell phone in areas surrounding those vehicles.

· Steer It, Clear It! State law requires drivers to move vehicles involved in a crash out of traffic if no one is hurt and the vehicles can be moved safely. If someone is hurt or the vehicle is disabled, drivers should not risk injury by trying to push the vehicle out of traffic.

Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV) customer service centers will be closed on the Fourth of July, but DMV online service is open 24/7 at wisconsindmv.gov.