Northwest WI Regional Construction Update - Apr. 18, 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 8 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, just south of County A to Knapp Street and just south of 20th Street to US 8.
  • The speed limit with each work zone is 60 mph.
  • Flagging will be utilized as necessary on the roads underneath the bridge structures including Carlson School Drive, County AA, County A, County I, Knapp Street, 20th Street and US 8.

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 53

• Location: Between Mackey and Ross roads in the town of Trego
• Schedule: March 17, 2021 to November 2022
• Cost: $17.65 million
• Description: Reconstructing US 53 from Mackey Road to existing US 63, relocating US 63 to closely follow the existing Wild Rivers State Trail and constructing a new grade separated interchange connecting US 53 with realigned US 63, new west frontage road from Mackey Road to County E and turn lanes along US 53 at existing intersections, including Mackey, O’Brien and Ross roads.
• Traffic impacts:
  • Temporary signals are in operation at the US 53 intersection at US 63.
  • The speed limit on US 53 is reduced from 65 mph to 55 mph in the work zone.
  • Traffic will be switched to the new southbound lanes on Monday, April 18, with a single lane of traffic flowing in each direction, weather permitting.

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:
  • US 63 from Linn Street to Poplar Street and WIS 70 from Summit Street to Front Street are closed to traffic through May 23.
    • The detour route for US 63 is WIS 48 and US 53.
    • The detour route for WIS 70 is WIS 35, WIS 48 and US 53.
  • During construction, alleys and cross streets will be kept open as much as possible.