Northwest Region Construction Update - May 17

Release date: May 17, 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.

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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 flagging until next week when temporary traffic signals are placed.

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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 6th 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.

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Chippewa County
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 from the County Q overpass and through 40th Avenue.

• Motorists might encounter lane closures controlled by flagging operations on County S.
• Traffic on County S is expected to be switched to the westbound side underneath the US 53 overpass starting mid-week the week of Monday, May 20. In addition, a lane width restriction of 10.5 feet on both lanes of County S will be in place.
• Southern ramp closures at the US 53/County S interchange are anticipated to after Memorial Day weekend.

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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: Single-lane closures on County B between US 12/WIS 29 and I-94 are expected from May 6 to May 31.

• County B north of I-94 is closed from Badger Drive to 650th Avenue for Union Pacific railroad and Dunn County Highway Department projects. Traffic is being detoured via WIS 40 and US 12/29.

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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.

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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, but access to local businesses and residences in the work zone is being maintained.

• Non-local traffic is being detoured via WIS 79, WIS 170, WIS 40 and US 53.

• Motorists traveling north or south on WIS 25 can use WIS 64 to get to either the northern or southern leg.

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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.

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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, and motorists are asked to use South Hastings Way.

• Concrete paving is expected to start the week of May 20; once paving starts, no one will be able to cross Fairfax Street for an estimated four weeks.

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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 Lowes Creek Road to Hamilton Avenue.

• Through traffic is being detoured via East Lowes Creek Road, Golf Road, Rudolph Road and Hamilton Avenue.

• Access to properties in the work zone will be maintained.

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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: The contractor is to maintain two lanes of traffic on eastbound I-94 using a multilane shift. However, motorists might encounter a single-lane closure during off-peak travel times.

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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. The closure is anticipated to be in place for two months.

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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: I-94 has been reduced to a single lane through the construction zone in each direction. In addition:

• Westbound traffic is being switched between west- and eastbound lanes using median crossovers.
• The off-ramp from westbound I-94 to US 12/WIS 27 and the on-ramp from WIS 54 to westbound I-94 are closed.
• The speed limit in the work zone has been reduced to 55 mph.
• Motorists should be aware traffic backups are likely during peak travel hours.

• Westbound traffic is expected to be shifted back to the westbound lanes the week of May 20.

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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 milling and paving operations.

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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.

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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.

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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, US 10 is closed for either bridge- or culvert-related work from west to east:
• Just west of 620th Avenue near the Prescott Quarry. However, this location is expected to reopen to traffic by the end of the day today.
• Just east of 1040th Street at the Big River.
• Just east of the north leg of County O at the Trimbelle River.
• Just west of 730th Street west of Ellsworth for culvert replacement.

• Currently, there are single-lane closures on open segments of US 10 for concrete panel replacement.

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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, pedestrian traffic will be maintained using temporary accommodations and detours.

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St. Croix County
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.

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Sawyer County
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.

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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.

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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 being maintained on I-94, but occasionally motorists might encounter single-lane closures during nonpeak travel times.

• Westbound I-94 traffic is operating on temporary lanes as the westbound lanes are reconstructed.

• Motorists will encounter outside closures on US 10.

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Washburn County
Highway: US 53
Location: Pine Grove Road southeast of Shell Lake to Wildcat Road southeast of Spooner
Schedule: Aug. 15, 2022, to May 2024
Cost: $16.8 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 storm sewer, culverts, curb and gutter; reconstructing the approaches to US 53 from existing intersections; replacing shoulder rumble strips; and placing pavement markings.
Traffic impacts: All lanes are expected to reopen to traffic today as the project is complete.

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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 scheduled to close to traffic at 7 a.m. Monday, May 20, and the closure is expected to be in place for 19 days.

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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 lane closures.​

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