WisDOT Northwest Region Construction Update - December 17

Release date: December 17, 2025

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.

Clark County

WIS 29

• Location: Koser Avenue west of Thorp to County D in Owen
• Schedule: May 1 to early December
• Cost: $23.74 million
• Description: Making repairs to the concrete pavement; placing 3.75 inches of new asphalt pavement over WIS 29; removing 1.25 inches of the existing pavement on the ramps at the WIS 29 interchanges at WIS 73 North/County M and WIS 73 South/County T and placing 2.25 inches of new asphalt; replacing the expansion joints on the east- and westbound WIS 29 bridges over the Black River west of Withee; replacing all wing walls on a culvert carrying the Popple River under WIS 29 west of County D in Owen; replacing the northwest wing wall on a culvert between Thorp and Withee; cleaning culverts and ditches; and replacing guardrail and pavement markings.
• Traffic impacts: The project is complete, and all lanes are expected to be open by the end of the day. Motorists might encounter shoulder closures through the end of the week as traffic control devices are picked up.

Douglas County

US 2

• Location: Bong Bridge connecting Superior and Duluth, MN
• Schedule: August 6 to early December
• Cost: $6.38 million
• Description: Painting spot locations of the existing steel arch structure of the center span; making concrete surface repairs at spot locations of the two piers that support the center steel arch structure; removing and replacing three rubber strip seals of the center tied arch; replacing street lighting on the Minnesota half of the structure, including on the Minnesota ramps; replacing street lighting on the Wisconsin approach; applying a concrete sealer to the entire deck, including the Minnesota ramps; and placing new pavement markings on the entire bridge, Minnesota ramps and Wisconsin approach.
• Traffic impacts: None.
• Installation of streetlights will result in the following ramp closures on Tuesday, Dec. 30 in Duluth:
• 6 a.m. to noon: Ramp from southbound I-35 to eastbound US 2
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Ramp from westbound US 2 to northbound I-35
• Noon to 3 p.m.: Ramp from northbound I-35 to eastbound US 2
• Motorists will encounter single-lane closures on the Minnesota side of the bridge through the tied arch for installation of lights on the Minnesota side and maintenance of the lights on the Wisconsin side.
• Currently, those are anticipated to begin Monday, Jan. 5, with all work completed by the end of the following week.

Taylor County

Grahl Drive

• Location: East branch of Little Black River Bridge northeast of Medford
• Schedule: September 22 to early November
• Cost: $430,239
• Description: Replacing the bridge and reconstructing 228.5 feet of approach pavement.
• Traffic Impacts: None; project complete.

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.