Orange Barrels

There is a saying that Wisconsin has two seasons: Winter and road construction. Orange barrels, white and orange barricades and orange signs with black lettering are now common along USH 51 in McFarland from south of Siggelkow Rd to south near Mahony Road in the town of Dunn. The work involves repaving, round abouts and a new bridge over the Yahara River near Babcock Park, along with a pedestrian and bike underpass.

Construction started a couple year ago when the DOT did a roundabout on 51 at County B and AB, closing all that intersection for several months. Come December, USH 51 will be closed in McFarland for about two years, mainly for the bridge work. A few months ago my DOT expert, my wife, and I went to a public information session at the school behind us. There was quite a crowd, but no presentation. Which I found odd, since the design is set and the project is bid. I think most people had the same questions on how do we get around. Of course the formal detour of Hwy 12 to the Beltline to Hwy 51 is Stoughton is different than the route most of us will take.

Creamery Rd Obstacle Course
Looking Easterly, Oct 18, 2026

There is construction closer to Stoughton for roundabouts and four lane sections. Driving by there at least once a week, for the past month it looks like they really have not done much, other than work on what appears to be a pedestrian underpass. 

The barrels and barricades in McFarland were set up two weeks before any road construction equipment showed up. Several times traveling highways in Wisconsin, and one highway a several times over the whole summer, I see barrels, barricades and signs on the road side but did not see construction equipment. I think DOT is allowing barrels to be stored on the road edges to confuse drivers as to whether or not they are in a construction zone. To top it off, you look at the road as you drive, and it makes me wonder why the repairs or work? The road is much better shape than other roads. Is there too much federal money available? 

Creamery Rd, Looking Westerly
Oct 18, 2026

In other words, this looks like a WIDOT has, what I refer to as Make Work Projects. Just repaving or repairing for no particularly reason than to spend money. My wife is my DOT expert, not only because she receives updates on the road construction each week, but because she is like WIDOT.

How is she like WIDOT, well, her red hair is almost like the color of the barrels and barricades. But, more importantly she likes Make Work Projects--doing something just to keep herself occupied. Doing a project that really did not have to be done, at least at that point in time. With her Make Work Projects, she would be a good secretary of the WIDOT. What a resume builder the projects are.

Closer to home the village has a project on the road our cul-de-sac connects to. We first told end of August, then Sept 15, and as of 10/18 they are finally getting near paving which may be Oct 23 or 26. I was supposed to have shingles delivered for my house to be reroofed, but the semi could not get down because the road was closed at the far west end. If the driver had gone to the east end, but County AB, it may have been open. The work has been rescheduled for Oct 21, but I think there are now more barrels and cones up to navigate around than last week as they have grade markers in, manholes and water valve covers raised. It is like driving Mario-Kart. On separate walks today my wife and I both set up cones knocked over. Two within a few minutes of her setting up and my leaving on a walk.