Town OKs second I-43 concrete operation

A concrete mixing plant has been approved to operate for one year in the Town of Grafton with little opposition.

The site, located on what is currently farmland on the corner of Port Washington Road and Arrowhead Road, will be used by Michels Road and Stone Inc. as it completes a portion of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation I-43 expansion project.

Michels is one of several companies contracted by the DOT to work on segments of the five-year expansion project that will add an additional lane to the northbound and southbound sides of the

The Plan Commission followed a recommendation from town staff and approved the work site Jan. 5 following a public hearing.

During the public hearing, one resident neighboring the site asked several questions regarding traffic to and from the site.

The one-year operating permit was approved contingent on final town inspection, bi-weekly site visits during operating seasons, the payment of fees and the submittal of several details regarding the site plan.

The permit will need to be approved again next year for Michels to continue working on the site.

This is the second concrete mixing plant working on the I-43 project approved to operate out of the town — the first being Hoffman Construction.

Hoffman originally applied to set up shop on a site off Ulao Road between I-43 and Highway C but many neighbors of the proposed site objected to the location. Hoffman eventually revoked its application before appealing for another location adjacent to I-43 on Highway 32. The Plan Commission approved the site Nov. 3.

Concrete crushing on the Michels site is anticipated to only occur during the first week the site is in use. Crushing is expected to occur for about four days to create a foundation for the site. All other crushing relating to the I-43 project is expected to occur on the DOT right of way.

While work on the site is expected to last about two years, Michels project manager Tim Frerichs said if Michels receives other contracts for the I-43 project, it may apply to continue using the location.

Michels will begin preparing the site for use late this summer, begin concrete mixing operations in the early fall and is expected to be complete around October 2023.

Frerichs said while subject to change, operating hours of the site are expected to be Monday through Friday from about 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Out intent is to work five days a week,” he said.

The trucking route for the site plans to send trucks north on Highway W, have them turn on to Port Washington Road then enter I-43 south toward the construction area. Trucks would take the same route reversed back to the site.

Anticipated truck traffic coming from the site may vary, ranging anywhere from five trucks per hour while lanes or handwork is being done to 35 trucks per hour when mainline construction is being done.

Frerichs said having trucks drive north to Port Washington Road will be more efficient than sending them through the Village of Grafton along Highway 60 and will also disturb less local traffic.

A water truck and sweeper will be stationed at the site at all times to control dust and clean roadways.