The beginning of February kicked off the construction on Highway 172 going through Green Bay, causing traffic and many other travel issues.

While this construction makes life difficult for everyone traveling the Green Bay area, all must be aware that most of the ramps to and from the highway are inaccessible and precautions must be made to avoid the closings.

The goal is to improve the highway's pavement condition and repair the bridge over the Fox River, but in the meantime drivers in Brown County can expect some major traffic troubles.

“The construction makes life really difficult for me and my family, just as the construction last year did; I need the highway just about everywhere I go,” said junior Tyler Govek.

First, before traveling across the river, it should be known what ramps are closed and if the highway is still accessible from where you are coming.

These are the ramps connecting Highway 41 northbound to Highway 172 eastbound, the ramp linking Riverside Drive to Highway 172 westbound, the south connector ramp between Riverside Drive and Webster Avenue, and the ramps for Highway 172 west to and from Pilgrim Way.

These ramp closings were from the beginning of the month and more will/have been  already closed.

Then, if your ramp is indeed closed, alternate routes will need to be found.  There are three of them that will take you over the river.

One is Interstate 43, which will take you to the Leo Frigo Bridge on the north side of Green Bay

The Downtown Green Bay bridges will also serve as a good substitute for the 172 bridge as you can cross on Mason Street, Walnut Street, or Main/Dousman Street.

You could also travel to DePere to get across the bridge, but there is a very busy two-lane roundabout to deal with.

These other options will take longer to get through than 172, but there is not much else that can be done about the situation.

“In my personal travels coming from DePere, it has been very difficult to get through the roundabout, and the highway is closed, so it has been tough to find other options. I have made it through so far but we will see what the future holds,” said junior Declan Bowman.

 The message to all drivers:  plan ahead, take an alternate route and give yourself a lot of extra time to get where you're going.