Wisconsin Department of Transportation Reminds Travelers to Drive Safely this Holiday Weekend

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 -- 1:00 PM

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. Most road construction will pause over the holiday weekend to open as many lanes as possible.

Significant local road construction projects that may impact Fourth of July weekend travel include:

Marathon County: WIS 13 in Colby is closed from WIS 153 to Marathon County N. Traffic is detoured via WIS 29 and WIS 97.

Marathon County: Watch for lane closures on WIS 13 in: Colby between Marathon County N and the southern Colby limits; Spencer from WIS 98 to LaSalle Street; and Unity from 2nd Street to northern Unity limits.

Wood County: WIS 80 is closed to through traffic from the Juneau County Line to Pine Street and from Marathon Avenue in Babcock to the WIS 80/173 intersection north of Babcock. WIS 80 and WIS 173 are closed to all traffic between Pine Street and Marathon Avenue in Babcock with no through access. Traffic is detoured via WIS 21, WIS 13, WIS 73, and WIS 173.

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 co-workers 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.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.