Northwest Region Construction Update - June 7

​​​​​​​Release date: June 7, 2024

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 and Washburn counties

Highway: US 53

Location: 26th Avenue north of Rice Lake to Pine Grove Road south of Sarona

Schedule: Sept. 5, 2023, to November 2024

Cost: $21.89 million

Description: Removing the existing and base course, placing a new base aggregate layer for drainage, replacing the pavement, rebuilding intersection approaches and installing cable barrier in the median between 26th and 27th avenues and a high-friction surface treatment on the pavement in the same area to reduce crossover and run-off-the-road crashes.

Traffic impacts: North- and southbound US 53 traffic is operating on the southbound lanes, and the speed limit has been reduced to 55 mph.

***

Bayfield County

Highway: WIS 13

Location: Lost Creek culverts west of Cornucopia

Schedule: May 8 to early October

Cost: $1.91 million

Description: Removing the existing culverts, placing new culverts and replacing the asphalt over the culvert replacement sites.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter lane closures controlled by temporary traffic signals. Open lanes have a 16-foot width restriction.

***

Highway: WIS 13

Location: Thompson Creek to 2nd Avenue West, city of Washburn

Schedule: March 11 to November

Cost: $8.32 million

Description: Replacing the pavement on WIS 13 and storm sewer, curb, gutter and sidewalk; replacing or upgrading all intersection curb ramps to meet Americans With Disabilities Act standards; and replacing streetlights. In addition, the city has a concurrent project replacing aging sewer and water utilities.

Traffic impacts: WIS 13 is closed to traffic from Thompson Road/Charles Street to 1st Avenue West.

  • Cross traffic currently is being maintained at 3rd Avenue West, 8th Avenue West, 10th Avenue West and 11th Avenue West.
  • Traffic for vehicles 20 tons or less is being detoured via West Bigelow Street, West Holman Lakeview Drive, Omaha Street East and 1st Avenue West.
  • Traffic for vehicles weighing more than 20 tons is being detoured via US 2, County A and WIS 13.
***

Buffalo and Pepin counties

Highway: WIS 25

Location: WIS 35 North ​north of the Buffalo County village of Nelson to Pleasant Ridge Road just outside the Pepin County city of Durand

Schedule: June 3 to late September

Cost: $9.54 million

Description: Removing a portion of the existing pavement and placing new asphalt pavement; replacing, lining or cleaning culverts; replacing culvert markers; replacing guardrail end terminals to meet current standards; and placing pavement markings.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter single-lane closures controlled by flagging.

***

Chippewa County

Highway: County X

Location: 197th Street in the town of Lafayette to County XX in the town of Sigel

Schedule: June 3 to late August

Cost: $3.17 million

Description: Widening the travel lanes and shoulder widths to meet the road's design speed; removing a portion of the existing pavement and placing new asphalt pavement; replacing, lining, extending or cleaning culverts; clearing; completing gravel shouldering; and placing new pavement markings.

Traffic impacts: County X is closed to through traffic between County K South and the west ramps at the WIS 29/County X interchange.

  • Through traffic is being detoured via County XX, County O, County K and County X.​
  • Access will be maintained to properties in the work zone.​
​***

Highway: WIS 27

Location: Eau Claire County line north to just south of WIS 29

Schedule: May 20 to August

Cost: $3.85 million

Description: Performing a cold-in-place recycling of the top 3 inches of pavement on much of the project corridor; resurfacing approximately 1,000 feet of asphalt pavement just south of WIS 29; repairing the Paint Creek Bridge and substructure; milling the bridge deck and applying a concrete overlay; and adding approach pavement on both sides of the structure; cleaning, repairing, removing or replacing culverts as needed; adding centerline rumble strips; and upgrading guardrail.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter:

  • Single-lane closures controlled by temporary signals at Paint Creek Bridge.
  • Single-lane closures controlled by flagging on other sections of the roadway.
***

Highway: US 53

Location: 40th Avenue in Lake Hallie to County B in the town of Tilden

Schedule: April 1 to late June 2026

Cost: $36.6 million

Description: Replacing the pavement on north- and southbound US 53, the ramps at the Business 29/County X, County S and County B interchanges and the crossroads between ramp terminals along County S and County B; completing polymer overlays on the four bridges over the Chippewa River and Business 29/County X; replacing guardrail and right-of-way fence; maintaining culverts through cleaning and making end repairs and replacing one cross culvert; repairing erosion on the east side of a box culvert that carries Tilden Creek south of County B; and installing a high-friction surface treatment on the pavement near the Business 29/County X interchange on US 53 to reduce run-off-the-road and out-of-control crashes, plantings for snow fence to minimize snow drifting at four locations, new pavement markings and shoulder rumble strips.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter:

  • Inside lane closures on north- and southbound US 53 starting at 40th Avenue at the southern project limits.
  • Outside lane closures on north- and southbound US 53 starting around County S.
  • Traffic on both lanes of County S is operating on the westbound side of the highway underneath the US 53 overpass. There is a lane width restriction of 10.5 feet on both lanes of County S.
  • The ramp from northbound US 53 to County S and the ramp from County S to southbound US 53 are closed through midnight July 2.
***

Dunn County

Highway: County B

Location: Between US 12/WIS 29 and the eastbound I-94 on- and off-ramps

Schedule: April 1 to November

Cost: $6.98 million

Description: Replacing 1.16 mile of the existing concrete pavement with new concrete pavement; replacing curb and gutter, storm sewer and electrical; and making intersection and traffic signal improvements.

Traffic impacts: From US 12/WIS 29 to I-94, the northbound lanes of County B are closed, and traffic in both directions is operating on the southbound lanes.

  • ​North of I-94, County B closed from Badger Drive to 650th Avenue for Union Pacific railroad and Dunn County Highway Department projects reopened to traffic Monday, and the southbound lanes are carrying one lane of traffic in each direction.
    • UPDATED: North of I-94, Dunn County closed County B from the railroad tracks to Packer Drive. The intersections of Badger and Packer drives remain open to traffic. 
***

Highway: County C

Location: Muddy Creek Bridge southwest of Elk Mound

Schedule: May 1 to early August

Cost: $681,160

Description: Replacing the bridge.

Traffic impacts: County C is closed between County J and 790th Street.

***

Highway: WIS 64

Location: County O north of Boyceville to the north junction of County W

Schedule: May 13 to late August

Cost: $3.35 million

Description: Rehabilitating the bridge over the Hay River by making concrete surface repairs, replacing bridge joints and overlaying the deck with concrete; replacing the culvert carrying Otter Creek; repairing or replacing additional culverts along that stretch; placing new asphalt pavement over culvert replacement sites; and replacing guardrail and pavement markings.

Traffic impacts: WIS 64 is closed to through traffic. Currently, there are hard closures at:

  • ​The Hay River Bridge between 430th Street and County VV.
  • Otter Creek, the site of a culvert replacement between 1250th Avenue and County SS.
  • Access to local businesses and residences in the work zone is being maintained.
  • Motorists traveling north or south on WIS 25 can use WIS 64 to get to either the northern or southern leg.
  • Non-local traffic is being detoured via WIS 79, WIS 170, WIS 40 and US 53.
***

Highway: I-94

Location: Safety and Weight Enforcement Facility (SWEF) on westbound I-94 east of Menomonie

Schedule: March 19 to November

Cost: $10.95 million

Description: Renovating and expanding the existing SWEF building; replacing the pavement in the parking lots and on the ramp/loop roadways; constructing an approximate 200-foot communications tower near the renovated SWEF building; reconfiguring the exit off I-94; constructing a new virtual weigh station along westbound US 12/WIS 29 west of the I-94 interchange; and constructing a remote truck pull-off site along County B south of I-94 between Walton Avenue and 3M Drive in Dunn County. (The pull-off site will be constructed concurrently with a reconstruction project scheduled to start April 1 on County B from US 12/WIS 29 to the eastbound I-94 entrance and exit ramps at the I-94/County B interchange.)

Traffic impacts: The ramp off westbound I-94 to the SWEF is closed. Other impacts include:

  • ​I-94
    • Motorists will encounter outside shoulder closures on westbound I-94.
  • US 12/WIS 29 west of the I-94 interchange:
    • Motorists will encounter single-lane closures controlled by temporary signals.
    • The highway is expected to open to two-way traffic June 14.
***

Eau Claire County

Highway: Fairfax Street

Location: South Hastings Way in Eau Claire to Spooner Avenue in Altoona

Schedule: March 27 to August

Cost: $3.18 million

Description: Replacing the pavement, curb, gutter, sidewalk, sewer and water utilities; and driveway approaches to the road.

Traffic impacts: Fairfax Street is closed to through traffic but has limited access, and motorists are asked to use South Hastings Way or surrounding local streets.

  • There is no access to Spooner Avenue through Fairfax or surrounding streets; motorists must take South Hastings Way.
***

Highway: County F (State Street)

Location: Heather Road to Hamilton Avenue in Eau Claire

Schedule: May 13 to late October

Cost: $3.3 million

Description: Placing new asphalt pavement; replacing sanitary and storm sewer and water main; replacing existing concrete curb and gutter and adding curb and gutter where it currently doesn't exist; and placing new pavement markings.

Traffic impacts: County F (State Street) is closed to through traffic from East Lowes Creek Road to Hamilton Avenue.

  • ​Through traffic is being detoured via East Lowes Creek Road, Golf Road, Rudolph Road and Hamilton Avenue.
  • Access for those who live in the work zone can access State Street via Hamilton Avenue or East Lowes Creek Road. Due to contractor staging, the pavement on State Street from about Tamarack Lane to Hamilton Avenue currently remains to allow residents to use that area.
***


Highway: I-94

Location: Eastbound I-94 at west end of Lowes Creek Bridge

Schedule: April 1 to late May

Cost: $555,995

Description: Replacing the concrete approach slab on the west end of the bridge, replacing guardrail at the bridge connection, paving the shoulder with asphalt and placing new pavement markings.

Traffic impacts: None; project complete.

***

Highway: I-94

Location: US 53 interchange to Mallard Road southwest of Eau Claire

Schedule: March 4, 2024, to November 2026

Cost: $69.9 million

Description: Removing and replacing the pavement on I-94 from Otter Creek to Mallard Road; resurfacing the shoulders and completing concrete pavement repair on I-94 and collector roads from the western project limits to Otter Creek; resurfacing the I-94/US 53 interchange, the approaching pavement on US 53 and the interchange ramps; widening the eastbound I-94 bridge over Otter Creek; removing and replacing the east- and westbound bridges over County D and County J with structures that meet vertical clearance requirements and are wide enough to handle future four-lane temporary traffic; removing and replacing a box culvert near County D; repairing storm sewer; and placing new pavement markings.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter single-lane closures in both directions and a reduced speed limit of 55 mph during nonpeak travel times.

  • ​County D is closed at I-94.
***

Jackson County

Highway: I-94

Location: Bridges over the Black River in the city of Black River Falls and the Union Pacific railroad tracks in the town of Brockway

Schedule: Sept. 5, 2023, to October 2025

Cost: $5.2 million

Description: Overlaying the bridge deck with concrete, repairing abutment back walls and replacing the bridge joints and concrete approach slabs on the westbound bridge over the Black River. Replacing the deck, pier caps and concrete approach slabs and repainting girders on the westbound bridge over the railroad tracks.

Traffic impacts: None; work complete until early 2025.


***

Pepin County

Highway: US 10

Location: Pierce County line to County P west of Durand and from Durand Street to 950 feet east in the city of Durand

Schedule: April 15 to late August

Cost: $5.88 million

Description: Removing a portion of the existing pavement and overlaying the roadway with new asphalt; cleaning and repairing culverts; cleaning ditches; and replacing guardrail.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter single-lane closures controlled by flagging and a pilot car during paving operations.

***

Pierce County

Highway: WIS 35

Location: Big River Bridge southeast of Prescott

Schedule: May 10 to August

Cost: $846,790

Description: Replacing the bridge deck, repairing the abutments and widening the width of the bridge.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter single-lane closures controlled by temporary traffic signals.

***

Highway: WIS 35

Location: Between Chestnut and Green streets in Maiden Rock

Schedule: April 29 to November

Cost: $3.28 million

Description: Replacing retaining walls at W3338 WIS 35 and W3487 WIS 35, removing a portion of the existing roadway pavement and overlay it with asphalt; replacing curb and gutter; installing a railing at W3338 WIS 35; and placing new pavement markings.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter single-lane closures controlled by temporary traffic signals.

***

Highway: US 10

Location: WIS 29/35 in Prescott to the south junction of US 63 west of Ellsworth

Schedule: March 11 to October

Cost: $14.35 million

Description: Removing a portion of the existing pavement on the approximate 14-mile stretch of US 10 and placing new asphalt pavement; widening paved shoulders from 3 feet to 5 feet; replacing culverts at Spring Creek on US 10 just west of the 760th Street and 730th Street intersections west of Ellsworth; replacing existing box culverts on US 10 with bridges just east of 1040th Street and west of Cross Town Road; and replacing guardrail and pavement markings along the entire length of the project.

Traffic impacts: US 10 is closed to through traffic, but work is being staggered to allow portions of the highway to remain open to motorists living or working in the work zone or visiting a business or residence there.

  • Through traffic is being detoured via WIS 29/35 and WIS 65.
  • Currently, there are hard closures on US 10 for either bridge- or culvert-related work from west to east:
    • Just east of 1040th Street at the Big River.
    • Just west of 730th Street west of Ellsworth for culvert replacement.
***

Rusk County

Highway: US 8

Location: River Avenue in Ladysmith to the Price County line

Schedule: May 6 to late August

Cost: $3.74 million

Description: From River Avenue in Ladysmith to Prentice Street in Glen Flora: Milling and overlaying approximately 11 miles of US 8 with asphalt; replacing or removing deteriorated guardrail; replacing deteriorated sections of curb and gutter; reconstructing curb ramps to meet Americans With Disabilities Act standards, where feasible; constructing a short segment of sidewalk in the village of Tony between Linden and Walnut streets to provide continuity; replacing two culverts in Glen Flora; installing new pavement markings; placing centerline rumble strips in rural areas; and paving the shoulders, including an additional two feet, and add shoulder rumble strips to minimize run-off-the-road crashes. From Prentice Street to the Price County line: Removing 2.25 inches of asphalt from US 8 and replacing it with 3.25 inches of new asphalt from Prentice Street to German Street in the village of Hawkins and from Washington Street in Hawkins to the east Rusk County line; removing the full depth of asphalt pavement and up to 2 inches of the underlying concrete pavement from German to Washington streets in Hawkins, cleaning and patching that segment, replacing the curb and gutter and placing a minimum of 3.25 inches of new asphalt to match the new concrete gutter; replacing curb ramps in Hawkins with Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps at the crosswalks on US 8 at Main Street and at the west side of Washington Street; removing an existing parking lane that is no longer needed for the telecommunication business east of Main Street in Hawkins; replacing a culvert east of Hawkins; replacing curb and gutter where needed at rural side road intersections throughout the project limits; installing centerline rumble strips in rural areas to enhance safety; and adding shoulder gravel to match the resurfaced elevation of US 8 and at gravel side road intersections.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter shoulder and lane closures, with the latter controlled by flagging. In addition, temporary accommodations are in place for pedestrian traffic.

***

St. Croix County

Highway: County F

Location: Pierce County line to Coulee Trail in Hudson

Schedule: June 3 to early July

Cost: $1.99 million

Description: Removing a portion of the existing asphalt pavement on travel, bypass and turn lanes; placing 2 inches of new asphalt pavement; and adding shoulder gravel to make shoulders even with the new road surface.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter daytime lane closures controlled by flagging.

***

Highway: County K

Location: 170th Street North to County T east of New Richmond

Schedule: May 3 to late June

Cost: $1.02 million

Description: Pulverizing the existing asphalt pavement, placing new asphaltic surface, widening the 1.5-mile segment by two feet, raising the vertical alignment of the highway by four inches, extending two cross culverts and replacing some driveway culverts.

Traffic impacts: County K is closed to through traffic.

***

Sawyer County

Highway: WIS 70

Location: Log Creek northwest of the unincorporated community of Oxbo

Schedule: May 28 to late August

Cost: $898,575

Description: Removing the existing two steel culverts, constructing a bridge to replace them, replacing the asphalt pavement on both ends of the bridges and installing guardrail and signage.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter single-lane closures controlled by temporary stop signs.

***

Highway: WIS 77

Location: US 63 in the city of Hayward to County K in the town of Hayward

Schedule: May 8 to early July

Cost: $3.29 million

Description: Removing a portion of the existing pavement and placing new asphalt pavement; cleaning, lining or repairing culverts; and placing new pavement markings.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter lane closures controlled by flagging.

***

Taylor County

Highway: WIS 13 and WIS 64

Location: WIS 13, County O to Taylor Street, and WIS 64, National Avenue to WIS 13, all in either the city or town of Medford

Schedule: April 22 to early August

Cost: $3.74 million

Description: Resurfacing WIS 13 from County O to Taylor Street; resurfacing WIS 64 from National Avenue to WIS 13; reconfiguring the WIS 13/64 intersection to better accommodate turning trucks, improve overall safety and replace the traffic signals; and replacing pedestrian sidewalk curb ramps on both segments of highway to meet Americans With Disabilities Act standards.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter lane closures controlled by flagging.

***

Trempealeau County

Highway: I-94

Location: County NN north of Osseo to the east county line

Schedule: July 18, 2022, to November 2024

Cost: $23.69 million

Description: Removing and replacing existing east- and westbound I-94 and I-94/US 10 interchange ramp concrete pavement, adding right-turn lanes at the I-94/US 10 interchange in Osseo and completing a polymer/chip seal on the US 10 bridge over I-94.

Traffic impacts: Four lanes of traffic are open to traffic, but motorists will encounter an occasional lane closure during nonpeak travel times.

  • ​Westbound I-94 traffic and westbound ramp traffic at the I-94/US 10 interchange are operating on temporary lanes.
  • Motorists on US 10 will encounter outside lane closures at turn lanes.
***

Washburn County

Highway: US 53

Location: Wildcat Road southeast of Spooner to County A

Schedule: July 31, 2023, to November 2024

Cost: $22.74 million

Description: Removing the existing pavement and a portion of the existing base course; placing a new base aggregate layer for drainage and new concrete pavement; replacing pavement on the interchange ramps at US 63 and WIS 70; replacing the pavement on WIS 70 between the ramp terminals; rebuilding existing intersection approaches; and rehabilitating the bridges on US 53 over the Yellow River and US 63 and WIS 70 bridge over US 53.

Traffic impacts: North- and southbound US 53 traffic is operating on the southbound lanes, where traffic will run bidirectional until mid-July.

  • ​County A is closed at US 53, and traffic is being detoured via County H.
  • Traffic on the WIS 70 bridge over US 53 is operating on lanes shifted to the north side of the bridge, with one lane operating in each direction and an 11-foot lane width restriction.
  • The ramps from northbound US 53 to WIS 70 and from WIS 70 to northbound US 53 are closed but expected to reopen early the week of June 10.
  • The ramp from WIS 70 to southbound US 53 is expected to be closed from Monday to Friday, June 10 to 14.
​***

Northwest Region

Highway: Segments of WIS 13, WIS 27, WIS 35, WIS 40, WIS 48, WIS 54, WIS 72, WIS 85, WIS 88, WIS 93, WIS 112, WIS 124, US 2, US 8, US 53, US 63 and I-94.

Location: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Rusk, Sawyer, Trempealeau and Washburn counties.

Schedule: May 8 to mid-October

Cost: $2.55 million

Description: Replacing epoxy pavement markings.

Traffic impacts: Motorists will encounter moving lane closures where crews are working. The anticipated schedule for next week includes:

  • ​Completing pavement markings on US 8 and US 63 in Barron.
  • Marking pavement on US 2 and US 53 in Douglas County; WIS 85, Pepin County; and WIS 72, Pierce County.​​

For more information regarding traffic impacts, transportation news and improvement project updates in Wisconsin’s Northwest Region:

For more information, contact:

Christena T. O'Brien, Northwest Region Communications Manager
(715) 833-9814, (715) 828-9471, christena.obrien@dot.wi.gov