Public involvement meeting to discuss Vilas County bridge project

Proposed replacement of US 51 bridge over Manitowish River planned for 2027

Release date: January 6, 2025

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is holding a public involvement meeting to share details about the proposed replacement of the bridge that carries US 51 over the Manitowish River northwest of Minocqua in the Vilas County town of Manitowish Waters.

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting to listen to the discussion, ask questions of project staff and provide input.

• When: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22
• A short presentation is planned for 5:15 p.m.; the remainder of the meeting will follow an open-house format.
• Where: Manitowish Waters Town Hall, 5733 Airport Road

Built in 1956, the bridge is approaching the end of its service life. WisDOT is proposing to:

• Replace the bridge
• Replace the approach slabs and roadway on either side of the structure
• Replace guardrail and pavement markings

Construction currently is scheduled for 2027.

During construction, the bridge will be closed to traffic. Through traffic will be detoured via US 51, WIS 47 and US 51, and local traffic can use County W and Tower Road as an alternate route.

In addition, a portion of the shared-use trail in the vicinity of the project will be closed for up to two weeks during construction operations, and public recreation lands along the river will be impacted too.

The meeting facility is wheelchair accessible. Hard-of-hearing, deaf, deaf-blind or those with a speech disability needing accommodations should contact the Wisconsin Telecommunication Relay Service via 711 at least three days before the meeting.

Comments on the proposed project are being accepted through Jan. 31, 2025, by:

• Email: marijean.hoppe@dot.wi.gov
• Mail: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
  510 Hanson Lake Road
  Rhinelander, WI 54501
  Attn.: Marijean Hoppe

For more information about the project, visit its design website.

Motorists are reminded that using handheld cell phones in Wisconsin work zones is illegal. Alerts and updates provided via these sites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, your focus should always be on driving.