Drivers reminded to put phones away or face fines as Verona Road construction shifts to next phase
FITCHBURG, Wis. — Drivers using Verona Road to get to work Monday morning may want to leave earlier than usual.
Now, all Verona Road traffic between County PD and Raymond Road in Fitchburg has been shifted to the east side of the highway.
Northbound Verona Road traffic has moved to the newly-finished interchange ramps, while southbound traffic is routed down the northbound lanes.
Verona Road construction project manager Chris Fredrick said he expects drivers to be confused, especially if Monday is their first time taking the route since Friday.
“There’s going to be a lot of confusion Monday morning,” said Fredrick. “Drivers that say, ‘This isn’t the way the corridor was on Friday.’ We just encourage patience.
Adding to the slowdown is the reduced speed limit of 40 mph, ten miles slower than usual.
This week, crews are going to start ripping up the pavement and begin with reconstruction on the west side of the corridor.
WisDOT also warns drivers to put down their devices. Any driver caught using their cell phone in a construction zone can be ticketed. The fine is $40 the first time and nearly $200 for each additional time.
“There is a new law that you cannot use a handheld device in a work zone,” said Fredrick. “We’re encouraging people to keep the distractions away and pay attention.” With additional workers on site, Fredrick says the cell phone law will help keep his staff and drivers safe.
The road changes and lane shifts were made over the weekend on Friday and Saturday nights. County PD, between Fitchrona Road and Spoke Drive, is now back open if drivers want to use that as an alternative route.
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