FITCHBURG, Wis. -- A new road construction project aimed at easing traffic on Fish Hatchery Road will mean detours and possible delays for thousands of area motorists this summer.

Robert Hintz's morning commute from his Bergamont neighborhood to the Englehart Center will be rerouted.

"That stretch of road is definitely in need of repair," he said.

For the next four months, Fitchburg Public Works said workers will make needed improvements on South Fish Hatchery Road, including adding turn lanes at Irish Lane and Noble Drive -- an area that has seen new development.

"If that red truck stopped right now," said project engineer Gus Vander Wegen, as he pointed to a truck turning onto Irish Lane. “Those three or four people behind him would have to wait for that car to turn left, so the turn lanes are going to be really appreciated for all who travel the roadway."

The $1.6-million project will also add curb and gutters and a bike path.

"A week from Monday, they're going to remove all the pavement," said Vander-Wegen.

Drivers will be able to use Highways 151, 14 or county highways M or MM as detour routes. Fitchburg officials said the detours can handle the 10,000 additional cars, but warn traffic might get backed up.

"PD will have problems at times, we're aware of that. We're just asking for patience," said Vander-Wegen.

"I'll take an alternate route," said Hintz. "I'll take highway 14 and then get off on McCoy Road so. It'll be a little out of the way but, 14 is two-lane so I can make up some time there"

The city expects the mile and a half stretch of South Fish Hatchery to be reopened in mid-October.

"It's going to add five minutes to my commute but I mean road construction has to happen so you have to tolerate it," said Hintz.

Once curbs and gutters are added and the project is complete, the speed limit will drop from 50 mph to 40 mph.

The plan originally called for four lanes. Fitchburg Public Works said four lanes are advised when 12 to 15,000 cars travel down a stretch of road daily. It's estimated 10,000 cars make their way through South Fish Hatchery daily.

In the end, the four-lane proposal was cut out of the city’s budget. The improvements should last 20 years, officials said.

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