New Mississippi River bridge opens months ahead of schedule

WISCONSIN — The new WIS 82/Iowa 9 bridge between Crawford County, Wis., and Lansing, Iowa, opened to traffic Friday, months ahead of schedule. "First, we had a team that was really focused on the project and delivering for the public," said Clayton Burke, the project manager with the Iowa DOT. "To do that, the team worked seven days a week, 10 hours a day, almost all year long."

Gas prices fall in Wisconsin and La Crosse County

LA CROSSE COUNTY, Wis. (WKBT) -- Gas prices have dropped since the midterm elections, with regular unleaded averaging $4.10 per gallon in Wisconsin and $3.98 in La Crosse County.

Traffic alert: US 14 by Scherbel Road back open after closing due to crash

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced Thursday that all lanes of US 14 by Scherbel Road are back open after closing due to a crash. The department said the crash happened around 5:20 p.m. near Cross Plains. The crash was cleared at 6:50 p.m. According to...

WisDOT seeks public input on plans to rebuild 5 miles of US 53 in La Crosse County

A century of rail history at La Crosse’s Amtrak station

On Jan. 31, 1927, a reported 6,000 people gathered to celebrate the opening of La Crosse’s new railroad station. The grand opening included a musical performance by local singer Grace McLindon Bartl, accompanied by a railroad quartet. The station replaced an earlier Milwaukee Road depot that burned on Christmas...

City of Madison Recognizes World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

The City of Madison's Vision Zero initiative will recognize the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims during the week of remembrance, November 9 – 15. Madison will join many communities around the world in honoring those who have lost their lives or been seriously injured in traffic crashes and standing in solidarity with the families, friends, and loved ones left behind.

Hiawatha West Draws Federal Funding Toward Madison

MILWAUKEE — Amtrak on October 22 welcomed the Federal Railroad Administration’s selection of Hiawatha West for Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements funding. The award advances an extension of Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha service west into Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane counties, including Madison, Watertown, and Pewaukee. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Amtrak are developing the project with the host railroads, CPKC and the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad, a Watco property. The same track work is meant to benefit the Borealis and the Empire Builder as well.

Janesville-Beloit gas prices remain far above year-ago levels after volatile six months

Rock County drivers and businesses have endured a volatile six months at the pump, with gasoline prices rising and falling amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and disruptions to global energy supplies. The swings have kept fuel costs in the headlines for much of the year. High gasoline and diesel prices also became part of the broader cost-of-living debate during this week’s midterm elections, with candidates, political observers and voters pointing to fuel costs as one of the economic pressures facing households and businesses. As of this week, the average price for regular gasoline in the Janesville-Beloit area was about $4.17 per gallon, according to AAA. That was roughly $1.30 per gallon, or 45%, higher than a year earlier. Wisconsin’s statewide average was about $4.04. For a driver filling a 15-gallon tank, that year-over-year difference amounts to about $19.50 more per fill-up. The increase is even more pronounced for diesel, an important expense for trucking, construction, agriculture and other businesses. Janesville-Beloit diesel averaged about $6.25 per gallon this week, roughly $2.66, or 74%, higher than a year earlier. The local diesel average reached a record $6.72 per gallon on Sept. 22. Prices rise, fall and rise again The

WisDOT to Host a Public Meeting on November 11 on the W. Memorial Drive Bridge Project in Rock County

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will be hosting an in-person public meeting next Wednesday, November 11, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Hedberg Public Library (316 South Main Street, Janesville). Adjacent property owners are encouraged to attend. This meeting aims to discuss the proposed improvements of the W....

John Nolen Drive causeway closing Wednesday night

MADISON, Wis. — The John Nolen Drive causeway will be fully closed on Wednesday night, according to the city of Madison.

A section of Highway 51 will be closed for repairs for most of November

JANESVILLE — A section of U.S. Highway 51 in Janesville will be fully closed from Nov. 6-24 as crews complete additional bridge repairs. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the closure will affect US 51 from Delavan Drive to State Street. During the early stages of the project, crews identified additional repairs needed on the US 51 bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad. Because the work falls outside the original project scope, maintaining one lane of traffic in each direction is no longer feasible, WisDOT said in the press release. The closure will allow crews to complete bridge deck repairs, bridge overlay work, milling and final asphalt paving. The detour route will use Delavan Drive, Beloit Avenue and Wis-11. Access will be maintained for residents living south of the project area throughout construction. Temporary traffic control measures will direct local traffic through designated access points. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, allow additional travel time and follow the posted detour. Questions about the project can be directed to WisDOT Project Manager Adam Kopp at adam.kopp@dot.wi.gov. Additional traffic updates at can be found at the WisDOT website: 511wi.gov.

Avoid the $251 Overhyped Wisconsin Train Journey Might Not Match the Hype

A short railway ride through Wisconsin’s Baraboo Hills can be enjoyable precisely because it moves slowly. The trouble begins when visitors mistake a preserved branch-line experience for a sweeping tour of the state, then spend far more on the surrounding day than they intended. Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North...

Part of U.S. Highway 51 in Janesville closing for bridge repairs through end of month

JANESVILLE, Wis. — U.S. Highway 51 between Delavan Drive and State Street in Janesville will close Friday through Nov. 24, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation said.

WisDOT Announces Full Closure of US 51 (Center Ave) planned for bridge repairs and final roadway improvements

US 51 (Center Ave) from Delavan Drive to State Street is anticipated to be fully closed beginning November 6 and continuing through November 24. The closure will allow crews to complete bridge deck repairs, bridge overlay work, milling operations and final asphalt paving activities that are necessary to complete the project.

Water utility construction to close northbound County Road W in Beaver Dam

BEAVER DAM — Water utility construction on County Road W between Hemlock Road and Spruce Road is expected to begin the week of Nov. 2, weather permitting. The project includes installing water main piping, valves and hydrants within the public right of way along the east side of County Road W.

One of America's Most Haunted Roads Is Not Far From Rockford

Bray Road in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, ranks fifth among America's most haunted roads, thanks in part to the legendary Beast of Bray Road.

Amtrak's Hiawatha could reach Madison after a federal grant, a westward extension projected to add about 278,000 riders a year

A $218 million federal grant backs Hiawatha West, extending Amtrak's Chicago-Milwaukee trains toward Madison and adding about 278,000 riders a year.