Portions of two highways, U.S. 12 and State Highway 11, will undergo improvements this summer, according to information released Wednesday by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT).

According to the release, Gov. Tony Evers has approved $5.73 million to make improvements to the two highways on portions within Walworth County.

The project will bring improvements to a seven-mile stretch of U.S. 12, between State Highway 67, in the city of Elkhorn, and State Highway 20.

The replacement of a box culvert on State Highway 11, between I-43 and Cobb Road, near the city of Elkhorn, also is included as part of the project.

Construction is slated to begin Monday.

The prime contractor is Payne and Dolan, the release noted. 

The full project will be completed in two phases, the release read, with a first phase beginning “mid-May” and completing in “late summer.”

Phase 1 improvements include:

• Box culvert replacement on State Highway 11 at Bakers Creek.

• New asphalt pavement over new box culvert.

• New guardrail on each side of box culvert.

During the first phase of construction, State Highway 11 will be closed to through traffic between 1-43 and Cobb Road for the duration of the project.

Additionally, the release stated, “there will be no access across Bakers Creek.”

Motorists will find a detour, using State Highway 67 and I-43, to allow for the avoidance of the construction area.

Local access will be provided to residents and businesses, the release continued. 

A second phase of the project is slated to begin mid-June with completion anticipated this fall.

Phase 2 improvements include:

• Resurfacing U.S. 12 between State Highway 20 and the State Highway 67/U.S. 12 split.

• Reconstruction of the U.S. 12 bridge over Sugar Creek.

• Reconstruction of the westbound U.S. 12 to northbound WIS 67 ramp terminal.

• Installation of new traffic signals at the County Truck  ES and U.S. 12 intersection.

• Installation of guardrail safety enhancements.

During the second phase of construction, U.S. 12 will be “fully closed between county trunks A and ES” while work to the bridge is performed.

Residents and local businesses will have access along U.S. 12 and County Trunk ES, the release stated.

All work is weather dependent and subject to change, the release noted.

To learn more about the project, visit: https://projects.511wi.gov/12elkhorn/.