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Three major highway projects beginning in Walworth County

Photo

Photo by Terry Mayer

Road work begins along County Highway A in Richmond Township last week. The road will be reconstructed through much of the county in coming months, including stretches in Richmond, Sugar Creek, LaFayette and Troy townships.

Construction crews perform shoulder work Monday along County Highway A in Richmond Township. A 16-mile stretch of the highway, from the Rock County line east nearly to East Troy, is to be reconstructed this spring and summer. Terry Mayer/staff.

ELKHORN - Larry Price has worked with the Walworth County Public Works Department for 27 years, the last 14 as superintendent/operations manager. This summer could be the busiest yet for him and his crews.

"Doing major projects every other year lends itself to doing more miles, but this is the most road construction work we've done since I've been around," Price said. "I anticipate it'll take a good part of the summer, but it'll go faster than you think. It'll make big improvements on areas that need the work."

B.R. Amon & Sons of Elkhorn is the general contractor after its bid was approved March 14. Work started this past week, and the company will tackle three major projects at a combined cost of $8.5 million:

• County Highway A from the Rock County line to County Highway ES, about 16 miles. Crews will be tackling County Highway A from the Rock County line to U.S. Highway 12 first, which they hope to finish by Memorial Day. Work on the stretch east of U.S. Highway 12 to County Highway ES is planned for the end of July through August.

• County Highway J from County Highway N just north of Troy Center to the county line near Mukwonago, approximately a six-mile stretch. This reconstruction is expected to begin in early July and last through mid-August.

• County ES for three miles east to the East Troy village limits. This project is slated for July and August.

In an area that relies so heavily on tourism, road construction always presents issues. Although the work is concentrated in the northern half of the county, thus avoiding the Lake Geneva area, the projects will affect travel around Lake Beulah and some traffic patterns entering and leaving East Troy.

Katie Matteson, executive director of the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, said visitors shouldn't experience too many difficulties ...

Read the full story in the April 17, 2011 e-edition of Walworth County Sunday, HERE.