According to the Wisconsin State Journal, a $20 million project began Tuesday that will expand the two-lane, 3-mile stretch of Highway M in the town of Westport between Oncken Road and Highway 113. The project will create four lanes to Willow Road, resurface the highway from Willow Road to Highway 113, add turn lanes and key intersections, and build a second bridge over a feeder creek to Lake Mendota.
The changes aim to make the roadway safer, less stressful for motorists, and easier to navigate, as the area of highway sees heavy daily traffic. The project is scheduled for completion in November 2024. Crews will work through the winter to construct a new bridge over Six Mile Creek, which will ultimately carry eastbound traffic; the existing two-lane bridge will get a new deck and carry westbound traffic.
Highway M is set to remain open throughout the project, but Woodland Drive between Carriage Ridge Conservancy Park and Highway M is expected to be closed for the next two months.
Additionally, an off-road, multiuse trail will connect Governor Nelson State Park to Highway 113; the existing box culvert for Dorn Creek will be expanded; stormwater runoff control will be increased; and a speed limit of 40 mph will be posted.
Project costs are funded mainly by federal highway aid of $13 million, with Dane County adding $6 million and the town of Westport adding $1 million.
