SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - Work that was scheduled to begin Tuesday on expanding Highway 23 from two to four lanes between Plymouth and Fond du Lac has now been delayed indefinitely.
The reason is a ruling from federal Judge Lynn Adelman on May 22. She ruled in the case 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Inc v. U.S. Department of Transportation that federal funds approved for the project last year were based on possible flawed traffic projection numbers. Judge Adelman says if traffic projections are not as high as first reported, then the project must consider other alternatives to full expansion, such as using passing lanes, before federal funding can be approved.
The group 1000 Friends of Wisconsin is questioning the need for the full expansion, both for the projected traffic on Highway 23 and the impact four lanes would have on area wildlife and forests.
Due to the ruling, the Wisconsin DOT has delayed work on the expansion project until the matter is resolved.
This has led to four of Sheboygan County's state legislators to issue a statement voicing their frustration and disappointment for the ruling.
Representative Tyler Vorpagel, whose district covers the highway, says the latest setback is tough for a project years in the making. "We’ve been getting a lot of contacts from not only businesses, but folks who live in the district who feel this is really an economic issue, a safety issue, and a quality of life issue for them," says Vorpagel.
Vorpagel says he, Senator Devin LeMahieu and Representatives Terry Katsma and Jesse Kremer, are assessing the situation to see how they can help to get the project back on track. "We’ll be in close contact with the DOT, and have said if there’s anything they need from us legislatively we’re happy to work with them on it," says Vorpagel.
In their statement, the legislators say they are confident federal approval for the project will be resolved quickly, and they are committed to making sure state funds are available to complete the project in a timely manner.