WIS 73, Park Street to WIS 64 East, WIS 64 West to County M West and US 8 to Rusk/Taylor County line), Thorp to town of Roosevelt, town of Ford to town of Cleveland a town of Richland to town of Hawkins - Clark, Taylor and Rusk counties

Project limits

Location

There are three projects scheduled for WIS 73 in Clark, Taylor and Rusk counties. Each project is identified by a unique Project ID below.

Overview

The purpose of the projects is to improve the deteriorating pavement, railroad crossings and drainage structures on WIS 73, extend the roadway’s service life, and upgrade beam guard to meet current safety standards. The existing pavement is showing signs of distress including traverse cracking and roadway joints are failing. The proposed improvements will address the pavement deterioration, improve damaged or deteriorating culverts, replace a structure nearing the end of service life with new structure, improve drainage, and enhance safety.

Project ID 8210-00-01: WIS 73 - Clark and Taylor County

Proposed improvements

  • Mill and overlay WIS 73 with asphaltic pavement.
  • Adjust or replace substandard guardrail.
  • Replace existing railroad crossing at the north end of the project.
  • Repair, line or relay existing culvert pipes
  • Centerline rumble strips

Traffic Impacts

  • WIS 73 will be open to through traffic during most construction using flagging.
  • A short-term (two weeks) closure of WIS 73 will be needed for railroad crossing work.
    • Signed detour will direct motorists to use County B and WIS 64.
    • Access to properties will be maintained during closure.

Schedule

Construction currently is scheduled for 2031 but could bee advanced to 2027 if funding becomes available.

Real Estate

Temporary Limited Easements will be needed to facilitate culvert pipe improvements for project 8210-00-01.

Project ID 8210-00-02: WIS 73 - Taylor County

Proposed improvements

  • Mill and overlay WIS 73 with asphaltic pavement
  • Adjust or replace substandard beam guard
  • Replace structure at Fisher River, approximately 900' north of the East Junction of County M, with a twin box culvert structure
  • Line or relay existing culvert pipes
  • Centerline rumble strips

Traffic Impacts

WIS 73 through traffic will be detoured for structure replacement.

  • Signed detour will direct motorists to use WIS 64, WIS 27 and US 8.
  • Access will be maintained to businesses and property owners.

Following structure replacement, WIS 73 will be open to through traffic using flagging.

Schedule

Construction currently is scheduled for 2025 but could be advanced to 2024 depending on funding.

Real Estate

None is required for project 8210-00-02.

Project ID 8210-00-03: WIS 73 - Rusk County

Proposed improvements

  • Mill and overlay WIS 73 with asphaltic pavement.
  • Adjust or replace substandard guardrail.
  • Replace existing railroad crossing at the north end of the project.
  • Centerline rumble strips

Traffic Impacts

  • WIS 73 will be open to through traffic during most construction using flagging.
  • A short-term (2 week) closure of WIS 73 will be needed for railroad crossing replacement.
    • Signed detour will direct motorists to use WIS 64, WIS 27 and US 8.
    • Access to properties will be maintained during closure.

Schedule

Construction currently is scheduled for 2031 but could be advanced to 2029 if funding becomes available.

Real Estate

None required for project 8210-00-03.

In This Together

WisDOT recognizes businesses located in work zones have special needs. It's critical that customers have access to businesses and that they continue to visit them, regardless of any road work inconvenience. WisDOT's In This Together program is offered to business and community leaders as an idea source as they plan for road construction in their area. On the In This Together website, businesses can find:

  • Specially designed Business Coordination Guide for businesses to succeed during a highway construction project, includes information on:
    • Planning ahead
    • Staying informed
    • Keeping customers informed
    • Tips for businesses
    • Temporary business signing during construction
  • Case studies that demonstrate techniques that have been successfully used in communities throughout Wisconsin.
  • Promotional samples showing a variety of examples of how businesses have promoted their businesses during construction.

Temporary business signing

During construction, temporary signing for business will be available. While signing during the construction is up to the business, WisDOT encourages businesses to use the resources above to assist them with planning for construction before the construction begins.

Contacts

Paul Brauer
WisDOT Northeast Region Design Project Manager
(920) 492-5629
Paul.Brauer@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
Northwest Region, Eau Claire Office
718 W. Clairemont Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 836-2891, (800) 991-5285
nwr.dtsd@dot.wi.gov

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