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East Troy Railroad track upgrade creates detour

MUKWONAGO — Drivers can expect a detour the last week in July or the first week of August near the vicinity of the Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago as the East Troy Electric Railroad performs scheduled track maintenance. The detour is expected to be in use for five days during construction.

Plans call to replace a grade crossing at County Highway J, 350 feet west of County Highway ES. During construction, traffic will be detoured around lower and upper Phantom Lake, utilizing County Highway I, County Highway LO and County Highway ES. The detour will be marked and visible to traffic.

Chuck Damaske, president of the East Troy Electric Railroad, the tracks at the County Highway J crossing were last replaced in the 1970s.

"Track maintenance and rail safety is paramount," Damaske said. "We apologize for any inconvenience to local residents and visitors, but the work had to be done."

The East Troy Electric Railroad operates 10-mile round trip excursions from its historic depot and museum to the turn-of-the-century styled terminal at the Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago. The railroad and adjoining museum are home to over 20 rail vehicles, including open cars, locomotives, streetcars and interurban coaches. The railroad also operates an electric interurban dining car train. For more information, see www.easttroyrr.org or call (262) 642-3263.