The Highway 69 detour is entering what could be its final two weeks, offering a possible end in sight for drivers, businesses and residents who have dealt with longer trips, shifting traffic patterns and heavier use of alternate routes since the full closure began. Project officials now say the highway may reopen to traffic from Monroe to New Glarus on Friday, Aug. 28, weather permitting. 

The reopening would end the full through-traffic closure that began July 13. The posted detour continues to use Highway 11 at Monroe, Highway 81 to Argyle, Highway 78 to Blanchardville and Highway 39 to New Glarus.

The larger project will not be finished when the highway reopens. Milling and paving along Highway 69 from Monroe to New Glarus is expected to continue in September using daily flagging operations, according to the latest weekly construction update from Jim Grender, project engineer for the contractor, CGC, Inc.