Culvert on WIS 17 and bridge on WIS 64 load posted to gross vehicle weight of 40 tons
Release date: December 16, 2024
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has load posted two structures – a culvert over Barnes Creek on WIS 17 in the town of Merrill northeast of the city of Merrill and the westernmost WIS 64 bridge over the Wisconsin River in the city of Merrill, all in Lincoln County – to a gross vehicle weight of 40 tons.
The postings mean vehicles over 80,000 pounds will need to find alternate routes around the culvert and the bridge. Both structures are nearing the end of their service lives, and the weight restrictions are being placed based on engineering judgment as precautionary measures until they can be replaced.
Placed in 1973, the culvert carrying Barnes Creek under WIS 17 is scheduled to be replaced in 2026. The westernmost bridge carrying WIS 64 over the Wisconsin River, built in 1927, is scheduled for replacement in 2028, but that work could be advanced to 2027 if funding becomes available.
For more information regarding traffic impacts, transportation news and improvement project updates in Wisconsin's North Central Region:
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For more information, contact:
Bryan Rose, North Central Region Communications Manager
(715) 493-3710,
bryan.rose@dot.wi.gov