US 2 (Branch Middle River Culverts), Poplar - Douglas County

Location

The project is on US 2 at a branch of the Middle River just east of River Road in the village of Poplar in Douglas County

Overview

Two culverts - a 6-foot metal culvert pipe under US 2 with a partial concrete box culvert and a concrete arch culvert under the Tri-County Corridor Trail - are nearing the end of their service lives. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is proposing to:

• Remove both structures
• Install a new culvert on a new alignment under US 2 and the trail to safely pass a 100-year storm event
• The new alignment will shorten the culvert and better manage ongoing erosion.
• Construct an outlet channel along the north side of US 2 to address environmental requirements
• Replace living snow fence along the north side of US 2
• Living snow fence aids in reducing snow drifting across the highway.

Real Estate

New right of way along the north side of US 2 is required to complete the proposed improvements.

• Real estate acquisition is expected to begin in fall 2025.
• The Rights of Landowners Under Wisconsin Eminent Domain Law
• In Spanish: Los derechos de los propietarios de tierras De acuerdo con la Ley de Dominio Eminentede Wisconsin

In This Together

Knowing projects can impact businesses, WisDOT created the In This Together program to help business owners navigate construction. Please review the following for more information:

• In This Together: Quick Guide
• In This Together: Road Construction Guide for Business

Schedule

Construction currently is scheduled for 2027.

• Construction of this project (1180-00-81) will be tied to another project (1180-05-74), which will replace another culvert system under US 2 and the trail approximately 800 feet west of County D in Poplar.
• Project location map
• Construction of both projects is anticipated to take three months.
• Project 1180-05-74: US 2, Bayfield Road to County D, Poplar

Traffic and Trail Impacts

During construction, traffic will be maintained on US 2 with a short-term detour proposed during pipe replacement under the roadway.

• US 2 traffic will be detoured on County F and WIS 13 for approximately two to three weeks.
• Detour map
• The property owners between the culverts will be required to use local routes to access US 2 during this time.
• The Tri-County Corridor Trail also will be detoured during construction using Lackson, Bayfield, Center West Line and Elm roads.
• Trail detour map
• Both detours will accommodate this project and the tied project.
• Local and emergency access will be maintained to adjacent properties.

Project Documents

For more information on the proposed work, please review the following:

• Handout
• Culvert replacement exhibit

Contacts

Jeff Olson
WisDOT Northwest Region Project Supervisor
(715) 395-3032
jeffrey.olson@dot.wi.gov

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

Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
Northwest Region, Superior office
1701 N. 4th St.
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 392-7925, (800) 590-1868
nwr.dtsd@dot.wi.gov

​