Open Houses Scheduled for 2015-2050 Janesville Area Long Range Transportation Plan

JANESVILLE AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

Public Works Department

18 North Jackson Street

Janesville, WI 53545

Janesville Area 2015 – 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan
Draft Plan Review Open Houses

WHERE:
Hedberg Public Library
Program Room (upstairs)
316 S. Main Street
Tuesday, March 15th
4:30pm – 6:30pm

WHERE:
Milton Public Library
430 E. High Street
Wednesday, March 16th
4:30pm – 6:30pm

You are invited to attend a public open house to review and comment on the 2015-2050 Janesville Area Long Range Transportation Plan.  

Attendees will be invited to view maps of recommended projects and other displays about the Plan, and make specific or general comments. A brief presentation of the Plan will begin at 5:00pm.

The 2015 - 2050 Janesville Area Long Range Transportation Plan evaluates existing transportation conditions in the Janesville area and recommends improvements for all transportation modes. The Plan establishes goals and objectives, identifies issues and needs, and recommends projects and programs to improve transportation in the Janesville/Milton area. Comments from the public will be integrated into the final plan, which is expected to be adopted in May, 2016.

If you are unable to attend a public open house but would like to comment, please forward comments to Terry Nolan at 755-3095 or email: nolant@ci.janesville.wi.us.

You are receiving this letter because you or your organization has been identified as a transportation stakeholder. If you do not wish to receive documents, please let me know.

Thank you for your interest and participation.

Terry Nolan
Associate Planner

Reconstruction to Start on the I-39/90 and WIS 59 Interchange

Starting this week, construction crews will reconstruct the Interstate 39/90 and WIS 59 interchange (Exit 163), as well as I-39/90 and the Rock River bridges, near Edgerton and Newville in Rock County. The interchange will be reconfigured into a diamond interchange with three roundabouts to improve safety, efficiency and reduce overall congestion in the area.

In early March, crews will begin construction of the new piers for the Interstate bridges over the Rock River. Boater safety signs will be placed at active boat launches along Lake Koshkonong and the Rock River. Boaters are asked to be alert for construction crews and work taking place in the river.

What you need to know:

• Electronic weekly construction updates for these projects will start within the next few weeks, and continue through the 2016 construction season. 
• Be sure to inform family, friends and co-workers who may travel the area and encourage them to sign up for project email updates.
• I-39/90 will remain open to two lanes in each direction with periodic nighttime single lane closures (8 p.m. to 5 a.m.) and ramp closures at the interchange throughout the project.
• The new WIS 59 bridge over I-39/90 will be constructed south of the existing structure to maintain access to area businesses and neighborhoods. 
• The public should continue to patronize area businesses in the project area.
• Occasional delays will occur as construction takes place, and we ask for your patience when traveling through the work zone.
• All lane restrictions and work operations are weather dependent and subject to change.
• Remember to be alert and slow down in all work zones.

Watch the narrated WIS 59 interchange drive-through video and view the WIS 59 interchange configuration. You can also view the preliminary Rock River bridge staging plans. Note: You may need to zoom in to see details.

The WIS 59 interchange project 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.

STAY INFORMED: I-39/90 Expansion Project website | Project Facebook page

For more information, contact:
Steven Theisen
I-39/90 Project Communications Manager
(608) 884-1230 | steven.theisen@dot.wi.gov

WisDOT and the I-39/90 Project Team
www.i39-90.wi.gov
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WisconsinI3990Project

Leap Year Snowstorm to Hit Wisconsin

(MADISON) –  A winter storm is expected to hit most of southern Wisconsin tonight into Tuesday morning that could impact travel west to east along the I-94 corridor to the state line.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for several Wisconsin counties. Forecasters expect 4 to 6 inches of snow with strong northeast winds and gusts up to 30 mph. Travel could be difficult starting tonight with the strong winds creating limited visibility and challenging road conditions through the Tuesday morning commute.

ReadyWisconsin offers these suggestions to keep safe during this storm:

• If you plan to travel allow plenty of extra time for your trip. Also keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle and inform friends and family of your travel plans and approximate arrival time. 
• Check the roads before you travel. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation advises travelers check road conditions before leaving home by calling 5-1-1 or visiting www.511wi.gov.
• Have an emergency winter weather survival kit in your vehicle. Your kit should include water, snack food such as energy bars or raisins, blankets, first aid kit and booster cables. If you have a cell phone make sure you have a power adapter you can plug into the lighter. You can find more kit tips at ReadyWisconsin: http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/winter/HowToMakeAKit.asp
• Stay informed. ReadyWisconsin will keep you posted on any emergencies that occur during the storm. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

ReadyWisconsin is a campaign from Wisconsin Emergency Management with a mission to prepare individuals, families and businesses for emergencies and disasters. For additional winter safety tips, visit http://ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin), Twitter (www.twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/ReadyWisconsin).

Wisconsin Coach Lines / Coach USA Launches New Daily Milwaukee-Milton-Janesville Transit Route

(WAUKESHA, WI) – Wisconsin Coach Lines/COACH USA Milwaukee, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), is excited to announce the launch of daily motorcoach bus service from Milwaukee, WI to Janesville, WI.  This new route will allow commuters easy connections to and from Mitchell International Airport, as well as the Downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Facility and in Janesville, where they can connect to train service, bus service, and airlines.  A full list of connecting services by stop location can be found at www.wisconsincoach.com.

The Milwaukee-Janesville loop is as follows:

• Milwaukee Intermodal Facility – 433 W. St. Paul Avenue, Milwaukee
• Mitchell International Airport – Milwaukee
• Muskego/Piggly Wiggly – W189 S7847 Racine Avenue
• East Troy Airport Park & Ride – Hwy 20 @ Hwy. L
• Whitewater Depot Lot A – 313 W. Whitewater Street
• Milton/Piggly Wiggly – 727 S. Janesville St.
• Janesville Van Galder Depot – 3120 N. Pontiac Drive
• Janesville Transit Center – 123 S. River Street

The route will service each of the above locations and will consist of one trip south-bound in the morning, and one trip northbound in the afternoon, on a deluxe Wisconsin Coach Lines/Coach USA motorcoach bus.  Fares will range from as low as $3 to $24 one way.  Senior and child fares are also available.

The bus will be stopping at the Milton Piggly Wiggly, each day at 11:20am before heading southbound to Janesville.  The bus will then return to the Milton Piggly Wiggly each day at 12:40pm.  This service will be available seven days a week.

“This new service will be a welcome addition to these various communities, by bringing greater access and connections to regional transportation options,” stated Tom Dieckelman, President Wisconsin Coach Lines/Coach USA Milwaukee.

WisDOT identified the Janesville to Milwaukee corridor as being in need of public transit service in the Connections 2030 long-range transportation plan. Wisconsin Coach Lines was awarded the grant to operate this route through a competitive solicitation.

Funding for this route will be provided through the intercity bus portion of the Federal Transit Administration’s Formula Grants for Rural Areas program. In all, WisDOT will execute over $2,000,000 in federal grants to fund eight intercity bus routes connecting major transportation hubs with rural locations throughout the state.

For more information, log onto www.wisconsincoach.com or contact Al Hulick, City Administrator, at 608-868-6900 or by e-mail at ahulick@milton-wi.gov.

The schedule is available on the City of Milton website.

About Wisconsin Coach Lines/COACH USA Milwaukee
Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2016, Wisconsin Coach Lines operates Coach USA Airport Express with 15 daily trips both northbound and southbound, 365 days a year between Waukesha, Milwaukee, Mitchell Airport, Racine and Kenosha and Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.  Other services operated by Wisconsin Coach Lines include private charters; weekday inter-city commuter service between Waukesha County and Downtown Milwaukee with extensions to UWM; daily inter-city commuter service between Racine, Kenosha and Downtown Milwaukee; weekend service during the school year between UW-Whitewater, Waukesha and Milwaukee; the Waukesha County State Fair Shuttle; and the Waukesha County Summerfest Shuttle.

Make a Difference Day in Milton – April 22, 2016

The City of Milton will be hosting Make a Difference Day on April 22, 2016.  All groups or organizations that are interested in completing projects are asked to contact Assistant to the City Administrator Inga Cushman at (608) 868-6900 ext. 5 or by email at icushman@milton-wi.gov.  Participants can choose alternate dates to complete their projects.

Additionally, any individuals that would like to participate can assist the following organizations with their projects:

• Milton Lions Club, April 23rd, 9 a.m. to Noon – Paint playground equipment at Lamar Park and general clean up at the park.
• Parks & Recreation Commission, April 23rd, starting at 10:30 a.m. – Tails n Trails Dog Park Annual Clean Up.  Those who participate are encouraged to bring gardening gloves, dog waste shovels/scoops, and plastic bags for waste.

For additional information contact Inga Cushman, Assistant to the City Administrator, at 608-868-6900 or by e-mail at icushman@milton-wi.gov.

Rock County Sheriff Press Release: Hunter Education Course

Sheriff Spoden is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Edgerton Conservation Club, is offering two spring D.N.R. Hunter Safety Education Courses starting in April of 2016. It is recommended that participants be at least 12 years of age, or turn 12 shortly following completion of the class.

There is a class fee of $10 per student, which will be collected at the time of registration. A parent/guardian signature is required for all persons under the age of 18 and the underage student must be present with an adult parent or guardian at time of registration.

Class size is limited to thirty (30) students and registration is available online. After completing the online registration, you will receive an email with confirmation and mandatory in person registration information.

Register online at www.co.rock.wi.us/sheriff-hunter-education

This Hunter Safety Education Courses will be held on the following dates:

Class #1:
Mandatory Registration: April 4th, at 6:00 p.m. @ Rock County Sheriff’s Office
Class: April 16th and 17th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club

Class #2:
Mandatory Registration: April 18th, at 6:00 p.m. @ Rock County Sheriff’s Office
Class: April 30th and May 1st from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club

Any questions concerning registration, or the course itself, should be directed to Deputy Krahn at 608-757-7932.

Milton Area Veterans Memorial Brick Purchase Deadline

The deadline to order bricks for the Milton Area Veterans Memorial in order to have them placed by Memorial Day is March 10, 2016 at 3:30 p.m.

The prices for the memorial bricks are as follows:

• 8x8 Brick - $85
• 16x8 Brick - $135
• 16x16 Brick - $235

The Parks & Recreation Commission is planning a ceremony for Memorial Day, May 30, 2016 to unveil the POW / MIA and Cost of Freedom expansions.  The official dedication for the expansions will take place on July 3, 2016.

For additional information contact Inga Cushman, Assistant to the City Administrator, at 608-868-6900 ext. 5 or by e-mail at icushman@milton-wi.gov.