Most road construction done in time for Thanksgiving travel

Deer hunters and holiday travelers will encounter fewer orange barrels on major highways.

Although most major road construction projects have concluded for the year, drivers traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday may encounter some ongoing work, and should be prepared for lane shifts and reduced speeds.

“Because of the extraor­dinary road construction season this year, we’ve been able to wrap up the majority of projects before Thanksgiving,” said Don Greuel of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Project Services Section. “There no longer are detours on major highways for construction projects, but there are a few spots where lane restrictions are still in place.”

WisDOT expects traffic to be heavy today as deer hunters flock to the woods and again Wednesday when motorists travel to join friends and family for the Thanksgiving holiday. The heaviest traffic day on major highways is expected to be Nov. 25, when deer hunters and holiday travelers converge to make the return trip home.

In anticipation of heavy holiday traffic, which could cause sudden and unexpected back-ups, WisDOT officials advise drivers to slow down, pay attention and be patient. As always, they must drive sober and buckle up.

Motorists also should be prepared for inclement weather. Before venturing out, they can check current road conditions online at www.511wi.gov or call 511.

Tags: news, travel, food