Governor Evers approves US 8 project at Little Soft Maple Creek

Work includes replacing 88-year-old box culvert with a single-span bridge

Release date: June 16, 2026

To invest in Wisconsin's transportation system, Gov. Tony Evers has signed a $1.92 million contract with prime contractor Pheifer Brothers Construction Co., Inc., of Neenah for an improvement project on US 8 at Little Soft Maple Creek northwest of Weyerhaeuser in Rusk County. Construction is scheduled to start Monday, June 22.

Built in 1938, the culvert carrying the creek has reached the end of its service life. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation project is:

• Constructing a temporary bypass on the north side of US 8 to carry traffic during construction
• Removing the existing box culvert
• Constructing a single-span bridge half at a time to replace it
• Replacing roadway approach pavement on both sides of the structure
• Installing guardrail

Construction will be staged to allow US 8 to remain open to traffic. Motorists will encounter single-lane closures controlled by either flagging or temporary traffic signals.

Construction is scheduled for completion in late September.

For more information, visit the project's construction 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.