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As we know for the last few months, US Highway 151 has been undergoing a major road makeover. Deteriorations have been fixed, an exit into the City of Dodgeville, and the project is expected to continue into November.
However, Iowa County has been in the limelight for quite a few things: The Miller Road Case, the opioid crisis, the unexpected passing of an Iowa County public official. Iowa County adds the County Road YZ accidents to the list.
Construction season in Wisconsin has many drivers frustrated with backups and detours. In Iowa County, an unregulated detour is causing even more backups and crashes.
Monday there were two separate car accidents near this intersection, one of which involved a car fire. We know that construction has taken place for a while much of Highway 18/151 is blocked off.
It has been said that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) has recommended route passing through State Highway 23. However, people are choosing a different way to their destination, by County Road YZ. The headlines show that this way is not the recommended way.
I get that this way out of Dodgeville is a quicker commute, but it's not the easiest one. People say that it saves time, but how much time (and money) is one saving if this intersection is the location for many accidents that have happened?
People need to realize that this intersection was not picked as a detour for several reasons.
Case in point, the Dodgeville Chronicle published an article in February of 2011. That article reads, "On Wednesday, a multi-vehicle crash on USH 18/151 at CTH YZ, in the Town of Dodgeville, Wednesday morning closed the highway down for several hours."
There were 14 vehicles involved, including four semi tractor/trailer units, and nine passenger vehicles, followed by yet another accident with two semi tractors colliding as first responders were treating other patients.
While the accidents were not life-threatening, there very well could've been. In fact there have been. There have been many fatalities over the years in this location. I don't live far that road and I've had to take that intersection. I don't like doing it, even though its closer. For me I don't mind taking a detour. It's better than being in an accident, and having my family members take a horrific phone call. Please stay safe on the roads. There's reasons why detours need to be followed.