By Nick Wood
Acting Editor
HOBART – After more than a year of construction that included lane closures and local detours, the final ramp at the new diamond interchange at Hwy. 29 and Hwy. VV opened to traffic Tuesday.
“This is the culmination of a dream come true for so many people who have championed this cause for a long time,” said Hobart Village Administrator Aaron Kramer. “On behalf of the Village, I would like to thank the workers who made the project possible, as well as the officials from the state and Brown County who worked together to obtain the Federal grant which financed a large portion of the project.”
The westbound Hwy. 29 off-ramp to County VV opened to traffic at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The other three ramps opened last week, and the full interchange is now open to motor vehicles.
The restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) access to Hwy. 29 from Hwy U near Maplewood Meats is now closed.
Westbound traffic on Hwy. 29 seeking access to the eastbound lanes must now use the Hwy. 32 interchange to make the turn.
The project began in March of 2021 and is intended to address safety issues on Hwy. 29 between Green Bay and Shawano.
It is also expected to spark development along either side of the interchange.
The villages of Hobart and Howard, along with Brown County, applied for and received a grant from the federal government to help fund the project, which was overseen by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
The total project was expected to cost about $25 million.
Local road construction was conducted by the villages of Hobart and Howard and Brown County to connect the interchange to the local road network, which will result in improved freight movement to local businesses.
“I would also like to extend our appreciation to the Village of Howard who joined us in contributing over $3 million each to the final cost. It was a great example of collaboration and persistence between four governmental agencies, in pooling together our financial resources and expertise.”
Part of Hobart’s responsibility for the project included construction of a roundabout on North Overland Road, while the county funded Marley Street construction.
Work also includes broadband installation which is expected to improve internet connections in the area.
“Regardless of any future development in both Howard and Hobart, the primary reward for all of us will be the increased safety for motorists and pedestrians. That will be the biggest dividend we all reap from this major investment.”
Work remains ongoing into the fall for median grading and removals, and local road construction will also continue.
For more information, visit the project website: projects.511wi.gov/29vv/