NORTHWEST WISCONSIN -- 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: 14½ Avenue
- Location: Barker Creek Bridge northwest of Cameron
- Schedule: Sept. 29 through late November
- Cost: $482,782
- Description: Replacing the bridge, approach pavement and signs.
- Traffic Impacts: The road is closed at the bridge, but it will open to traffic the week of Nov. 17.
Highway: US 53 South
- Location: Bridges over US 8, 20th Street, Knapp Street, County I, Chetek River, County A, County AA and Carlson School Road between Cameron and New Auburn
- Schedule: May 5 to mid-November, 2025 construction; March 1 to late September 2026, total project completion.
- Cost: $10.91 million
- Description of 2025 work: Replacing the decks on the bridges over County AA and County A; overlaying the decks with concrete on structures over Carlson School Road, Knapp Street and US 8; making miscellaneous repairs to bridges; completing prep work for 2026 construction on the bridges over the Chetek River, County I and 20th Street; and replacing guardrail at the structures.
- Traffic Impacts: US 53 South remains open to traffic, but:
- Motorists will encounter lane closures on southbound US 53 and a reduced speed limit of 60 mph in work zones.
- There is a maximum width of 15 feet 3 inches on the open lane on most bridges.
- Southbound US 53 is anticipated to fully reopen to traffic by the end of the week of Nov. 17.
- Motorists will encounter lane closures on southbound US 53 and a reduced speed limit of 60 mph in work zones.
- Motorists are expected to encounter single-lane closures on County I from Dec. 1-12.
Burnett County
Highway: Burnikel Road
- Location: Clam River Bridge
- Schedule: Sept. 22 to early November
- Cost: $530,913
- Description: Replacing the bridge and reconstructing 100 feet of approach roadway.
- Traffic Impacts: The road is closed at the bridge, but it’s expected to open to traffic Monday, Nov. 17.
Polk County
Highway: 3rd Avenue
- Location: Ash Street to Oak Street in Frederic
- Schedule: Sept. 23 to mid-November
- Cost: $584,100
- Description: Reconstructing the road, making storm sewer upgrades, completing curb, gutter and sidewalk work and replacing pavement markings and signage.
- Traffic Impacts: The road is closed to through traffic, but it’s expected to reopen to traffic the week of Nov. 17 after finishing work is complete.
Rusk County
- No current projects
Sawyer County
- No current projects
Washburn County
- No current projects
Last Update: Nov 14, 2025 9:46 am CST
