Northwest WI Regional Construction Update - Apr. 11, 2022

This week’s updates from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) on road construction projects for Barron, Burnett, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, and Washburn counties.

Barron County

Highway: US 53 northbound

• Location: Chippewa County line to US 6 near Cameron
• Schedule: April 4 to October
• Cost: $11.55 million
• Description: Removing a portion of the existing asphalt overlay and placing new asphalt; completing spot repairs on structures at Carlson School Drive, County AA, the Chetek River, County I, Knapp Street, 20th Street and US 8 and placing a concrete overlay on each of the structures; replacing the concrete deck on the structure at County A; cleaning culverts and ditches; replacing culvert apron end walls, guardrail, pavement markings and signage; and completing spot improvements at Rest Area 34 and overlaying all concrete parking areas with asphalt.
• Traffic impacts:
  • A single lane of northbound US 53 will be closed for the duration of the project.
  • During structure rehab work, the approximate limit of the lane closures are from County M to Carlson Road, from just south of County A to Knapp Street and from just south of 20th Street to US 8.
  • The speed limit with each work zone is 60 mph.

Highway: WIS 48

• Location: Hay River Flowage, Cumberland
• Schedule: March 28 to August
• Cost: $1.24 million
• Description: Replacing a culvert with a bridge, bridge approaches and guardrail.
• Traffic impacts:
  • WIS 48 is open to one lane of traffic controlled by temporary signals.
  • There is a 14-foot maximum width restriction in the work zone.
  • The speed limit has been reduced to 25 mph.

Washburn County

Highway: US 63

• Location: Greenwood Avenue to Poplar Street, Spooner
• Schedule: March 28 to November
• Cost: $8.2 million
• Description: 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; and installing new street lighting, pavement marking and signing.
• Traffic impacts:
  • The signalized intersection of US 63 and WIS 70 is closed to traffic until May 23.
  • Traffic is being detoured via WIS 35, WIS 48 and US 53.