Motorists driving in southern and central Wisconsin will find it tough going today as the state's Department of Transportation closed portions of two freeways and numerous highways due to flooding.
Transportation officials recommend that people driving between the Twin Cities and Chicago take I-94 to State Hwy. 29, and take Hwy. 29 east across the state to Green Bay, then take I-43 south until it meets up with I-94 again at Milwaukee.
A 43-mile stretch of westbound Interstate 94 from just north of Madison to Mauston is closed due to rising water on the Baraboo River.
Eastbound I-94 is closed at Wis. State Hwy. 82 in Juneau County. Westbound I-94 also is closed west of Johnson Creek at the Crawfish River bridge.
The Wisconsin State Patrol has closed northbound Interstate Hwy. 39 at Hwy. 151 north of Madison and southbound I-39 at Hwy. 82 in Marquette County.
In addition to the freeways, scores of state highways and county roads have been shut down, the patrol and the Department of Transportation said.
Drivers are strongly advised not to travel in the south central part of Wisconsin due to many flooded state and local highways, the State Patrol and Department of Transportation officials said.
Up-to-the-minute alerts and maps are posted on the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation web site, www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/incident-alerts.htm. Drivers can also call1-800-762-3947.
