Construction Information Meeting On US 63 Project In Spooner Scheduled

WASHBURN COUNTY -- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is holding a construction information meeting to discuss the updated schedule for the reconstruction of US 63 (River Street) from Greenwood Avenue to Poplar Street in the Washburn County city of Spooner.

• When: 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 4.
• Where: Spooner City Hall, 515 N. Summit St.

Construction started March 28 and originally was anticipated to be completed Nov. 18. Because of crew availability and good site conditions, construction is ahead of schedule and expected to be completed in mid-October. In addition:

• The US 63/WIS 70 intersection is on schedule to open as early as May 23.
• US 63 will be fully accessible from Vine Street to Walnut Street as early as June 30, with concrete pavement operations starting as early as May 16.

The new schedule is weather dependent.

Side road and alley access across US 63 continues to open and close as operations allow. During concrete paving and finishing operations, side road access and crossing movements will not be allowed.

To address deteriorated pavement and utilities, inadequate roadway lighting and a higher-than-average crash rate, WisDOT, in coordination and cooperation with the city and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is:

• Reconstructing US 63 from WIS 70 to Poplar Street with new pavement, sidewalk, curb and gutter.
• Reconstructing the US 63/WIS 70 intersection.
• Rehabilitating US 63 from Greenwood Avenue to WIS 70 by milling the existing asphalt and overlaying the road with new asphalt.
• Converting US 63 from Greenwood Avenue to Poplar Street to a three-lane road, with one lane for traffic in each direction and a two-way left-turn lane in the center to improve safety and reduce overall corridor travel times.
• Installing new sanitary and storm sewer and water main.
• Improving pedestrian access to meet current Americans With Disabilities Act standards at intersections.
• Installing new street lighting, pavement marking and signing.

During the closure of the US 63 and WIS 70 intersection, traffic is being detoured via WIS 35, WIS 48 and US 53. In addition, US 63 is closed to through traffic north of WIS 70, and traffic is being detoured via WIS 70 and US 53.