South Shore Road
Improving Access to Wisconsin’s Most Popular State Park
South Shore Road’s Long-Overdue Upgrades
As Wisconsin’s most visited state park, Devil’s Lake State Park is a natural treasure offering a mix of adventure, history, and serenity. When the park faced issues with an access roadway in need of significant repair, the Town of Baraboo turned to General Engineering Company (GEC) for assistance. GEC began by conducting a comprehensive analysis of South Shore Road in Baraboo to identify issues affecting drivers and determine the necessary solutions.
The engineering team uncovered several critical concerns impacting local commuters, visitors, and emergency and township service vehicles. These issues included uneven and hazardous driving conditions caused by deteriorated pavement, ditches dangerously close to the road’s edge, and narrow clearance areas with tree lines just a few feet from the roadway, limiting visibility. dense foliage furthered the problem, making it difficult for drivers to spot deer and other wildlife. Additionally, the frequent snow and ice removal caused additional damage to the pavement, and the dense tree cover blocked sunlight, making it difficult for snow and ice to melt.
To address these challenges, GEC’s survey crew mapped the centerline of the roadway, providing essential data for the design and construction phases. The project included several key improvements:
- Drainage Redesign: The ditches along the road were redesigned and graded to ensure reliable drainage, directing surface water away from the pavement to reduce erosion. Bedrock was chipped away to make space for the improvement of the new ditch.
- Erosion Prevention: Turf reinforcement matting was installed to stabilize the ditches and prevent soil erosion.
- Roadway Improvement: The 22-foot-wide paved roadway, with 2-foot shoulders on each side, was reconditioned to meet the Wisconsin state code, significantly improving safety and accessibility.
Additional improvements included clearing surrounding areas to accommodate the new shoulders and ditches. This clearing not only enhanced visibility for drivers but also allowed more sunlight to reach the roadway, aiding in snow and ice melting during the winter months.
To support the project financially, GEC assisted the Town of Baraboo in applying for a Town Road Improvements Supplemental (TRIS) grant through the state. The town successfully secured more than $625,000 through the program, with additional funding provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources due to the road’s proximity to Devil’s Lake State Park.
The reconditioning of South Shore Road was long overdue, and these improvements have significantly enhanced the safety and accessibility of the roadway for residents, visitors, and service personnel. Through support and funding, the upgraded road has preserved the growth of the local community and the tourism appeal of Devil’s Lake State Park.
Municipal Services
- Site design and road improvement design
- Grant application, administration
- Construction management, construction administration
- Stormwater and erosion permitting
- Utilities Coordination with other companies
- Power/fiber
Other Notes About the Project
- 1.5 miles in length
- Road services Devil’s Lake State Park and provides daily commuter access to U.S. Highway 12 from Ski-Hi Road
- Devil’s Lake State Park hosts approximately 3 million visitors annually – South Shore Road sees about 1 million of these visitors
- The project recycled much of the existing road by reusing the existing gravel base and pulverizing the existing asphalt to be used as the additional base course for the road
