100 people show to meeting on Wisconsin DOT’s Hwy 35 roundabout plan in La Crosse

Road construction plans can draw a crowd. 

About 100 people gathered at All-Star Lanes on Wednesday, to learn more about the $8.8 million roundabout project beginning next week on the south side of La Crosse. 

One multi-land roundabout will be built at the intersection of Highways 35 and US 14/61. A second, single-lane one will be at Sunnyside Drive, near Southern Bluffs School. 

The construction is expected to start on Wednesday and last into November. 

People living in the construction area are concerned about traffic delays, noise and possible damage to roads from the heavy equipment needed for the project.  

Project contractor Barry Bowman urged drivers to be patient during months of construction.

“There’s a lot of storm work being done, so there’s gonna be a lot of holes out there,” Bowman said. “I would ask, to use caution when you go through there, slow.

“If you’re not sure where you’re going, don’t always follow the person in front of you, follow the line,” he added, as members of the audience laughed.  

The speed limit in the traffic circles will be 40 miles an hour.

Wisconsin DOT communications manager for Southwest Wisconsin said Tuesday on La Crosse Talk PM that there will be temporary lights at the intersection.

Plans for three other roundabouts just north on the same stretch of road will also begin this summer but the installation of the actual roundabouts won’t happen until 2023.

Building removal to make room for those roundabouts, and other infrastructure work, will happen this summer.