Not one but two closures planned for Hwy. LL

Before Highway LL will be shut down on Port Washington’s north side for an extended period of time to lay utilities to the data center complex site, it will close for about two weeks, possibly as early as Monday, for a drainage improvement project at the I-43 overpass.

Chris Verhyen, southeast region communications manager for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said that while the project will take a month to complete, a section of Highway LL north of High Point Beach Lane will only be closed for about half that time.

The $229,000 project is intended to address drainage concerns on the I-43 northbound bridge over Highway LL, he said.

The work entails rerouting the existing drainage system to a new storm sewer pipe on the east side of Highway LL, filling a gap under the south abutment of the northbound I-43 bridge over the highway and grading and resealing the slope protection.

Crews will also investigate the addition of drain tile into the I-43 median.

The DOT has no choice by to close Highway LL while much of the work is being done, Verhyen said.

“It will be impassable during those two weeks,” he said.

“Work should be done by late October, weather permitting.”

Traffic will be detoured along Highways KW and A while the road is closed. 

More information about the project can be found online at https://projects.511wi.gov/43drainage/.

The drainage work is one of two projects that will result in the closure of Highway LL this fall.

The Port Washington Common Council last month approved a $4.55 million contract with Vinton Construction to extend sewer and water services to the data center complex planned for 672 acres north of Highland Drive and south of Lake Drive between I-43 and the Ozaukee Interurban Trail. 

The utilities will be extended north along Highway LL and under I-43 via Highland Lane and Highland Road.

That work could begin as early as Oct. 13, officials said, noting the city has committed to having utilities to the data center property by Jan. 1.

Installing the sewer lines will require digging trenches as deep as 30 feet, officials said.

That project will require at least one lane of Highway LL if not both to be closed for 1-1/2 to two months, Ozaukee County officials have said, with the same detour route used during that time.

While motorized traffic will be detoured, city officials said that the project will not require closing the Ozaukee Interurban Trail.