WisDOT Northwest Region Construction Update - April 24

Release date: April 24, 2026

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) provides weekly updates on road construction projects in the following counties in northwest Wisconsin: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, Taylor, Trempealeau and Washburn counties.

Barron County

County O

• Location: Wisconsin Avenue intersection in Rice Lake
• Schedule: April 20 to late September
• Cost: $1.1 million
• Description of work: Realigning and extending the County O left-turn lanes, constructing right-turn lanes both north and south along Wisconsin Avenue, replacing traffic signals and adding sidewalk and a pedestrian crossing on County O
• Traffic impacts: The intersection of County O and Wisconsin Avenue remains open, but County O and Wisconsin Avenue will be reduced to single lanes during construction. In addition, flagging will be used at times to direct traffic through the work zone.

US 53 South

• Location: Bridges between Cameron and New Auburn: structures over US 8, Knapp Street, County A, County AA and Carlson School Road, 2025, and structures over 20th Street, County I and the Chetek River, 2026
• Schedule: Feb. 23 to October, 2026 construction; and May 5, 2025, to October 2026, overall project
• Cost: $10.91 million
• Description of 2026 work: Replacing the decks on the bridges over the Chetek River and 20th Street; replacing the bridge over County I; milling pavement on both sides of each structure and placing new asphalt pavement on the approaches; milling and overlaying the pavement on the southbound US 53 on- and off-ramps at the County I interchange; and replacing guardrail, pavement markings and signage
• Traffic impacts: Southbound US 53 remains open to traffic, but:
  • Motorists will encounter single-lane closures on southbound US 53 and a reduced speed limit of 60 mph in work zones.
  • Motorists also will encounter single-lane closures on County I for the duration of the bridge replacement project.
  • Southbound US 53 is tentatively scheduled to be closed at County I from 10 p.m. Monday, May 4 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, so girders can be set on the bridge over County I. Southbound US 53 traffic will be detoured via the off- and on-ramps at the County I interchange.

US 63

• Location: Charrie Lane in Cumberland to the Washburn County line
• Schedule: April 13 to late June
• Cost: $$4.64 million
• Description of work: Removing a portion of the existing pavement and paving new asphalt, installing centerline and edge line rumble strips, cleaning or repairing culverts, reconstructing sidewalk curb ramps to Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and placing new pavement markings
• Traffic impacts: US 63 remains open to traffic, but motorists will encounter single-lane closures controlled by flagging from:
  • 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays
  • 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays

US 63

Bayfield County

US 2

• Location: North Fish Creek Bridge southwest of the intersection of US 2 and WIS 13
• Schedule: April 13 to mid-July
• Cost: $1.69 million
• Description of work: Replacing the bridge deck, repairing an abutment, resetting an inlet, completing minor paving on both sides of the bridge to adjust and smooth out roadway approaches and adjusting guardrail
• Traffic impacts: US 2 is reduced to a single lane at the bridge.
  • The open lane has a maximum width of 14 feet.
  • Temporary traffic signals are controlling use of the single lane.
  • The alternative oversize-overweight truck route follows US 53, WIS 77, WIS 13 and WIS 112.

Buffalo County

County P

• Location: Trempealeau River Bridge east of Fountain City in the town of Buffalo
• Schedule: Feb. 23 to mid-October
• Cost: $1.78 million
• Description: Building a temporary bypass and structure, replacing the bridge, reconstructing roadway approaches and removing the temporary bypass and structure.
• Traffic impacts: Motorists are using a temporary road and bridge to bypass the work zone.
  • In addition, construction buoys have been added upstream and downstream.

WIS 35 and WIS 54

Chippewa County

WIS 124

• Location: Duncan Creek Bridge to County S
• Schedule: April 13 to June 17
• Cost: $2.68 million
• Description of work: Milling off a portion of the pavement and placing new asphalt pavement, resurfacing the County S roundabout and replacing the central island truck apron pavement, replacing culverts, cleaning ditches, upgrading sidewalk curb ramps and replacing pavement markings
• Traffic Impacts: Motorists will encounter shoulder closures from Bridgewater Avenue to 3rd Street.
  • Flagging is being used to direct traffic.
  • In addition, motorists will encounter a lane shift on the Duncan Creek Bridge
  • Segments of sidewalk are closed, and pedestrian detours are provided.

Southbound WIS 124

• Location: Just south of the Duncan Creek Bridge to North Bridge Street in Chippewa Falls
• Schedule: April 6 to mid-May, 2026 construction; June 2, 2025, to mid-May 2026, overall project
• Cost: $2.56 million
• Description of 2026 work: Removing and replacing deteriorated pavement in the intersection of Bay and West River streets and modifying traffic signals at West Columbia Street, West Grand Avenue, West Central Street, West Spring Street and West River Street
• Traffic Impacts: Motorists on southbound WIS 124 (Bay Street) will encounter a right-lane closure from West Columbia Street to West Spring Street for signal base installation. Also:
  • The Bay Street/River Street intersection is closed.
    • The intersection closure is expected to be open by April 30.
    • Detour for southbound WIS 124: West Central Street to North Bridge Street to the roundabout
    • Detours for West River Street:
      • Eastbound traffic: Island Street, West Spring Street and North Bridge Street
      • Westbound traffic: WIS 124 north to WIS 124 south to West Central Street to Island Street

US 53

• Location: 40th Avenue in Lake Hallie to County B in the town of Tilden
• Schedule: March 2 to late June, 2026 construction; and April 1, 2024, to late June 2026, overall project
• Cost: $36.6 million
• Description of 2026 work: Replacing the pavement on southbound US 53 south of County N, widening the shoulder on the ramp from Business 29/County X to southbound US 53, placing polymer overlays on the southbound US 53 bridges over the Chippewa River and BUS 29/County X, replacing guardrail, completing culvert work, building permanent maintenance crossovers, installing new pavement markings and shoulder rumble strips and removing temporary crossovers used during construction
• Traffic Impacts: US 53 remains open to traffic, but:
  • Motorists will encounter bidirectional traffic between 40th Avenue and County N and a reduced speed limit of 55 mph.
  • In addition, the inside lane on southbound US 53 is closed from 100th Avenue to County Q, and the inside lane on northbound US 53 is closed from County S to County Q.
  • The ramp from southbound US 53 to BUS 29/County X has reopened to traffic.
  • The ramp closures are expected to remain in place until May 22.
  • The ramp from BUS 29/County X to southbound US 53 is closed.
  • The ramp from southbound US 53 to westbound WIS 29 is closed.
  • The inside lane closure on northbound US 53 is expected to be extended starting Monday, April 27, with the closure running from County N to County Q.

Chippewa and Eau Claire counties

US 53

• Location: Golf Road in Eau Claire to 40th Avenue in Lake Hallie
• Schedule: April 6 to late May, 2026 construction; June 2, 2025, to late May 2026, overall project
• Cost: $10 million
• Description: Replacing the pavement approaching the Otter Creek bridges, making additional repairs in that area and placing pavement markings
• Traffic Impacts: US 53 remains open to traffic, but motorists will encounter:
  • The right lane on southbound US 53 is closed from the Otter Creek Bridge to WIS 93 southbound.
  • The left-turn lanes from eastbound US 12 to northbound US 53 are reduced to a single turn lane.
  • The right lane on the ramp from westbound US 12 to northbound US 53 is closed.
  • The outside lanes of traffic on north- and southbound US 53 are closed north and south of the US 12 interchange, but the inside lanes and ramps at the US 53/US 12 interchange will remain open to traffic.
  • Traffic is anticipated to be switched Tuesday, April 21, with traffic moved from the inside to the outside lanes on north- and southbound US 53 north and south of the US 12 interchange. The outside lanes and ramps at the US 53/US 12 interchange will remain open to traffic.

Clark County

WIS 29

• Location: County D in Owen to WIS 13 in Abbotsford
• Schedule: March 30 to early October
• Cost: $17.37 million
• Description of work: Repairing the existing concrete pavement on WIS 29 and the ramps at the County E interchange and then overlaying the roadway and ramps with asphalt pavement; overlaying the ramps at Cardinal Avenue east of Owen and Hi Line Avenue in Abbotsford with asphalt; replacing guardrail to meet current WisDOT standards; repairing the decks on the east- and westbound WIS 29 bridges over County D and the railroad tracks to the east and placing a thin bonded polymer overlay over them; cleaning and repairing culverts to improve drainage; repairing the median inlets near Owen adjacent to concrete barrier wall; and completing minor grading of ditches
• Traffic Impacts: Motorists are being shifted to the inside lanes on WIS 29 in both directions about 2 miles east of the WIS 29/WIS 73 interchange.
  • The speed limit in that area is reduced to 55 mph.
  • Traffic control is expected to be set up Monday, April 20 to closure the outside lanes from County D to 6 miles to the east.

WIS 29

• Location: Koser Avenue west of Thorp to County D in Owen
• Schedule: April 16-22, 2026 construction; May 1, 2025, to April 28, 2026, overall project
• Cost: $23.74 million
• Description of 2026 work: Completing permanent pavement markings and finishing minor remaining work
• Traffic impacts: WIS 29 remains open to traffic, but motorists will encounter single-lane closures of the driving lane in both directions from Koser Avenue to Fisher Avenue.
  • Remaining work on the project is expected to be completed by the end of the day on Tuesday, April 28.

Dunn County

WIS 25

• Location: I-94 in Menomonie to County D
• Schedule: April 16 to early August
• Cost: $4.98 million
• Description of work: Removing a portion of the existing pavement from the bridge over I-94 to the railroad bridge and placing new asphalt pavement; recycling a portion of the existing pavement, mixing it with a stabilizing agent, relaying it and placing new asphalt over the roadway from the railroad bridge to County D; adjusting or replacing guardrail; and upgrading pedestrian curb ramps and traffic signals
• Traffic Impacts: WIS 25 is reduced to a single lane from I-94 to Cedar Falls Road. In addition:
  • Cedar Falls Road remains open to westbound traffic but is reduced to one lane in and out of the shopping area.
  • From noon to 7 p.m., a right-turn lane from Cedar Falls Road to northbound WIS 25 must be open.

US 12 and WIS 40

• Location: US 12: Princeton Drive in Elk Mound to just north of WIS 29; and WIS 40, US 12 to County M in the village of Colfax
• Schedule: March 30 to October
• Cost: $8.99 million
• Description of work: Milling 2.25 inches of existing asphalt and paving 3.25 inches of hot-mix asphalt in rural areas; milling 3.25 inches of existing asphalt and paving 3.25 inches of hot-mix asphalt in urban areas; replacing joints on the Eighteen Mile Creek Bridge in village of Colfax; placing centerline rumble strips in rural areas; replacing cross culverts, guardrail and sidewalk curb ramps; and replacing the railroad crossing in the village of Colfax
• Traffic Impacts: Motorists will encounter single-lane closures on US 12 and WIS 40 controlled by flagging from Elk Mound through Colfax
  • Flagging will be done using automated flagger assistance devices.
  • In addition:
    • The bridge on WIS 40 south of the WIS 170 intersection is restricted to a single-lane of traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals.
    • There are shoulder and parking lane closures through Colfax.
    • Temporary crossings are shifting pedestrians to the west and north side of WIS 40.

Eau Claire County

WIS 93, WIS 312 and US 12

• Location: WIS 93: East Hamilton Avenue, Eau Claire, to Deerfield Road, town of Washington; WIS 312: Old Wells Road to US 53, all in Eau Claire; and US 12: Truax Boulevard, Eau Claire, to Mayer Road, Altoona
• Schedule: March 30 to mid-September
• Cost: $2.91 million
• Description of work: Reconstructing noncompliant curb ramps and upgrading pedestrian crossings that aren’t consistent or not fully provided where needed
• Traffic Impacts: Motorists will encounter the following on:
  • Eastbound US 12
    • Cameron Street to Craig Road: Single-lane closures
    • Truax Boulevard to Vine Street: Single-lane closures that are expected to be fully open by 2 p.m. each day.
  • Westbound US 12
    • May Street to Vine Street: Single-lane closures
    • Vine Street to Truax Boulevard: Single-lane closures that are expected to be fully open by 2 p.m. each day.

I-94

• Location: US 53 interchange to Mallard Road southwest of Eau Claire
• Schedule: March 23 to late November, 2026 construction; and March 4, 2024, to late November 2026, overall project
• Cost: $69.9 million
• Description of 2026 work: Replacing the pavement on eastbound I-94 from Otter Creek to Mallard Road, the eastbound bridges over County J and County D and the box culvert carrying Kluckman Valley Creek under eastbound I-94 near County D; completing shoulders, removing temporary lanes and structures and restoring the interstate’s median
• Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter lane closures in both directions during off-peak travel times and a reduced speed limit of 60 mph in the work zone.
  • County J is closed at I-94.
    • Traffic is being detoured via US 53, County D, County JJ and County IJ.
  • Motorists will encounter lane closures on Mallard Road from April 6-30.

Pierce County

WIS 65 and US 10

• Location: Culverts carrying a branch of Goose Creek and branch of the south fork of the Kinnickinnic River under WIS 65 between River Falls and Ellsworth and culverts carrying unnamed drainageways under US 10 southeast of Ellsworth
• Schedule: March 23 to early August
• Cost: $2.15 million
• Description: Replacing culvert C-47-2 and C-47-5 on WIS 65, reconstructing the roadway and removing guardrail; repairing the wing walls on culvert C-47-236 on US 10 and replacing guardrail at that location; and replacing culvert C-47-242 on US 10, reconstructing the road where work is being completed, replacing the guardrail on the north side of the highway and removing guardrail on the south side
• Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter a climbing lane closure on westbound US 10 as repair work is being done on culvert C-47-236.
  • WIS 65 is closed between 610^th Avenue and County J.
    • Traffic is being detoured via WIS 29, US 63 and US 10.
    • The closure is anticipated to be in place through late April.

Polk County

WIS 46

• Location: US 8 to WIS 35
• Schedule: April 15 to early October
• Cost: $8.49 million
• Description of work: Recycling 4 inches of pavement in place on the rural portion of the project; placing 2.75 inches of new asphalt and installing centerline rumble strips; milling 3.25 inches of pavement in the village of Balsam Lake and placing 3.35 inches of new asphalt; cleaning, extending, lining or replacing culverts; replacing or adjusting existing guardrail; and replacing curb ramps in the village of Balsam Lake
• Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter moving lane closures controlled by flagging.

St. Croix County

WIS 35/64 and WIS 64

• Location: WIS 35/64, 150th Avenue northeast of Houlton to County C, and WIS 64, WIS 35 to 142nd Street in New Richmond
• Schedule: April 13 to September
• Cost: $9.96 million
• Description of work: Performing spot repairs on the driving lanes in both directions where deterioration exists, overlaying existing concrete with asphalt at select locations in both directions of travel, installing new pavement markings and shoulder rumble strips, resurfacing the existing shoulders, replacing guardrail at structures and signage and cleaning or riprapping culvert end walls
• Traffic Impacts: Motorists will encounter single-lane closures.

US 12

• Location: CNW railroad bridge east of Hudson
• Schedule: April 13 to late June
• Cost: $1.24 million
• Description of work: Replacing the concrete bridge deck, making concrete surface repairs at the abutments and girders, replacing the steel bearings at the east abutment, replacing the east abutment expansion joint, replacing the southwest wing wall top, replacing concrete pavement approach slabs and about 100 feet of roadway approaches and placing new pavement markings
• Traffic Impacts: US 12 is closed at the bridge.
  • Traffic is being detoured via WIS 65 and I-94 and US 12.

I-94

• Location: Bridges over Kinney Road and 100th Street between Roberts and Hudson
• Schedule: March 30 to mid-October, 2026 construction; and Sept. 9, 2024, to mid-October 2026, overall project
• Cost: $20.08 million
• Description of 2026 work: Removing and replacing the eastbound I-94 bridges; replacing I-94 pavement on both sides of structures in both directions; installing storm sewer; replacing guardrail and pavement markings; removing temporary structures and travel lanes; and restoring the median
• Traffic Impacts: I-94 remains open to traffic, but motorists will encounter the following on:
  • Eastbound I-94
    • Traffic at 100th Street and Kinney Road is on temporary roadways in the median.
    • The speed limit has been reduced to 60 mph
    • FULL CLOSURE: Eastbound I-94 will be fully closed to traffic from 11 p.m. Thursday, April 30 to 5 a.m. Friday, May 1 between exits 3 (WIS 35) and 10 (WIS 65).
      • Traffic will be detoured via WIS 35 and WIS 65.

I-94

• Location: St. Croix River bridges between Hudson and Lakeland, Minn.
• Schedule: April 6 to late October, 2026 construction; Sept. 29, 2025, to late October 2026, overall construction
• Cost: $9.85 million
• Description of 2026 work: Construction on both bridges includes: Replacing the modular and expansion joints, placing a new polymer overlay on the bridge decks, making concrete surface repairs, cleaning of bridge bearings and replacing pavement markings. Construction on the westbound bridge also includes: Making repairs on the east and west abutment back walls, completing spot painting of bridge pin and hanger system. Construction on the eastbound bridge also includes: Repairing the east abutment back wall and replacing the sidewalk railing. Construction on the retaining wall on the Wisconsin approach: Replacing the block wall crossing under and adjacent to I-94 and parallel to the pedestrian path.
• Traffic impacts: I-94 remains open to traffic, but motorists will encounter the following on:
  • Eastbound I-94:
    • Three lanes are open to traffic, with lanes reduced to an 11-foot width.
  • Westbound I-94:
    • Traffic is reduced to two lanes, with one lane shifted across the median onto eastbound I-94.
    • The westbound traffic split will begin near the 11^th Street overpass in Hudson.
  • Ramps
    • All entrance and exit ramps remain open on both sides of the river.

Sawyer County

County D

• Location: Chippewa River Bridge east of Exeland in the town of Weirgor
• Schedule: March 23 to early July
• Cost: $1.08 million
• Description: Replacing the bridge deck, making concrete surface repairs to the abutments, piers and girders, completing bridge joint, shoulder and guardrail work and replacing the roadway approach pavement
• Traffic impacts: County D is closed at the Chippewa River.
  • Traffic is being detoured via WIS 40, WIS 70 and WIS 27.

Taylor County

County O

• Location: Little Black River Bridge southeast of Medford
• Schedule: April 6 to late May
• Cost: $663,990
• Description of work: Removing and replacing the bridge deck, adding concrete approach slabs, replacing a minor amount of asphalt pavement, completing shouldering, upgrading guardrail and placing pavement markings
• Traffic impacts: County O is closed at the bridge.
  • Traffic is being detoured via WIS 13, WIS 64 and County C.

Trempealeau County

Smikrud Road

• Location: Grant Creek Bridge south of Ettrick in the town of Gale
• Schedule: Feb. 19 to late May
• Cost: $580,541
• Description: Building a temporary bypass and structure, replacing the bridge, reconstructing roadway approaches and removing the temporary bypass and structure.
• Traffic impacts: Motorists are using a temporary bypass to get around the construction site.

Regionwide Pavement Marking Project

Various

• Location: Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau and Washburn
• Schedule: April 14 to early August
• Cost: $2.08 million
• Description of work: Replacing pavement markings
• Traffic impacts: For the coming week, crews are expected to work on:
  • US 12, US 63 east junction in St. Croix County to North Oak Avenue in Menomonie in Dunn County

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