WIS 21 Improvements

Winnebago County

Project Overview

Project Overview

The purpose of this website is to provide WIS 21 construction information. This website details upcoming construction scope, schedule, traffic impacts, business resources, and project contact. Map of WIS 21 between Oshkosh and Omro, WI

Project location
The project will take place on WIS 21 in Winnebago County from the south edge of the Fox River Bridge in the City of Omro to just west of Washburn Street in the City of Oshkosh

Project purpose and need

The purpose of this project is to improve 8.8 miles of WIS 21 in Winnebago County. Project is needed to address significant safety issues at multiple intersections along the WIS 21 corridor, deteriorating pavement along the corridor, non-ADA compliant curb ramps within the City of Omro, deteriorating beam guard, and to improve the riding surface.

Project improvements

This is a resurfacing-level project. Project improvements include:

  • Concrete pavement repair and asphalt overlay from Fox River Bridge to east city of Omro limits and from Leonard Point Road to just west of Washburn Street
  • Concrete pavement repair only from east city of Omro limits to just west of Leonard Point Road
  • Upgrading curb ramps within City of Omro for ADA compliance
  • Multi-lane roundabout at the Leonard Point Road intersection
  • Single-lane roundabouts at the County FF/Reighmoor Road and Sand Pit Road intersections
  • Slotted left-turn lanes at the Oakwood Road and Westhaven Drive intersections
  • Replacing beam guard along corridor
  • New pavement marking throughout corridor

Schedule

Work is tentatively scheduled to begin in early-mid April 2026 and extend to early November 2026. Some tree clearing work will occur during early 2026, but that should have minimal traffic impact.

Construction of the three roundabouts will be staged to minimize impacts to local access. Stage 1 will include construction of the Sand Pit Road roundabout. Stage 2 will include the concurrent construction of the Leonard Point Road and County FF/Reighmoor Road roundabouts.

Traffic impacts
WIS 21 will be closed to traffic for entire project, and the posted detour will follow WIS 116 to US 45 to I-41. Access will be maintained for local residents, businesses, and emergency vehicles.

Work within the City of Omro is generally staged independently from the three roundabouts.  This work is anticipated to start in April 2026 and extend into October 2026.  During that time, on-street parking will be restricted within the work zone so that the full roadway width can be utilized to maintain traffic.  Work within Omro is broken down into 5 stages.  However, it should be noted some of the stages only involve work along a portion of WIS 21 within the city limits.

  • Work within stages 1 and 2 will extend from Webster Avenue to the east City Limits.  It won’t involve any work between Adams Avenue and Webster Avenue, so those couple blocks won’t be impacted during the first two stages.  One lane of traffic in each direction is maintained throughout the city limits.
  • Stage 3 only involves work between Adams Avenue and Webster Avenue (no work east of Webster Avenue).  Stage 3 is limited to roughly 6 weeks and will only maintain westbound (1-way) traffic from Madison Avenue to the WIS 21/116 intersection north of the Fox River.  One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained between Madison Avenue and Industrial Drive.  A secondary detour route will be posted for WIS 116 traffic.
  • Stage 4 only involves work from just west of Scott Park to Beckwith Avenue.  Single-lane closures during daytime with flagging operations will be allowed in this stage within the work area.
  • Stage 5 primarily involves the grinding of concrete pavement and asphalt overlay throughout the city limits.  Single-lane closures during daytime hours with flagging operations are anticipated.

Temporary Business Signing

Temporary business signing may be placed during the detoured portion of the project by filling out a WisDOT temporary business signing permit. The permit is free. All temporary business signing needs approval via the permit before placement to ensure it is in a safe location and do not pose a visual distraction or traffic hazard. Costs associated with creating the temporary signing are the responsibility of the business.

Please keep the following items in mind regarding business signing:

  • Temporary business signings cannot be placed on traffic control devices or state signs.
  • WisDOT encourages businesses to team up and have multiple businesses listed on one sign structure versus several individual signs. This makes it easier for travelers to identify signs and find their destination.

Temporary Business Sign permits are available as a fillable-form WORD document or standard pdf file download. You can also request one from WisDOT Project Manager Bill Bertrand, via email or phone below.

WisDOT Resources for Businesses

WisDOT recognizes businesses located in work zones have special needs. While signing and other marketing/advertising during the construction is up to the business, WisDOT has business resources available through its “In This Together” website to assist businesses with planning for construction closures and minimizing the impact of construction.

Project contacts

The project will have an onsite construction office and an onsite construction manager. For all construction questions while work is taking place, please call or email the construction project manager or arrange a time to come to the construction office.

Jeff Spaeth, P.E.
Location of construction office – TBA
Phone: (920) 579-0467
Email: j.spaeth@gremmerassociates.com

For any other questions, please contact the WisDOT Project Manager.

Bill Bertrand, P.E.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation – Northeast Region
944 Vanderperren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304
Phone: 920-360-3124
Email: William.Bertrand@dot.wi.gov