Northwest Region Construction Update - November 16

Release date: November 16, 2023

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) provides weekly updates on road construction projects in the following counties in northwest Wisconsin: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, Taylor, Trempealeau and Washburn counties.

Ashland County
Highway: WIS 13
Location: Jefferson Avenue in Mellen to Golf Course Road in the town of Morse
Schedule: April 10 to November
Cost: $8.67 million
Description: Reconstructing WIS 13 from Jefferson Avenue to the north city limits; replacing the Bad River Bridge; grading to improve slopes and drainage; replacing storm and sanitary sewer, water main, sidewalk curb ramps, curb and gutter; and paving parking lanes, all in Mellen. Resurfacing WIS 13 from the north city limits to Golf Course Road in the town.
Traffic impacts: WIS 13 is reopening to traffic today. However, motorists might encounter lane closures controlled by flagging as finishing work is completed.

Douglas County
Highway: WIS 13
Location: Engdahl Road to County H north of Poplar
Schedule: June 12 to October
Cost: $11.69 million
Description: Removing about 2 inches of existing pavement and overlaying WIS 13 with 3.25 inches of hot mix asphalt; cleaning, replacing or placing liners in culverts; replacing substandard guardrail and curb and gutter where needed; repairing flumes; and adding new pavement markings and centerline rumble strips.
Traffic impacts: Motorists might encounter periodic single-lane closures as finishing work is completed.

Highway: Northbound US 2/53
Location: Northwest of the intersection of US 2 and US 53 in the town of Amnicon
Schedule: Oct. 23 to November; if necessary, the work might be completed in 2024.
Cost: $623,268
Description: Placing liners in two culverts to restore proper drainage.
Traffic impacts: None, but motorists will encounter single-lane closures once work resumes later this year or in summer 2024.

Dunn County
Highway: WIS 79
Location: Bridges over Coon and Clack creeks between Menomonie and Boyceville
Schedule: Aug. 28 to late November
Cost: $2.07 million
Description: Removing and replacing the bridges, roadway pavement on both sides of the structures, guardrail, signage and pavement markings.
Traffic impacts: WIS 79 is closed to through traffic, with motorists detoured via WIS 170, WIS 25 and US 12. WIS 79 is expected to reopen to traffic by midweek the week of Nov. 20.

Polk County
Highway: County K
Location: Branch Wapogasset Bridge west of Amery
Schedule: Sept. 12 to November
Cost: $595,977
Description: Replacing the bridge.
Traffic impacts: None; project complete.

St. Croix County
Highway: Powell Avenue
Location: Kinnickinnic River Bridge, River Falls
Schedule: Aug. 8 to November (Updated)
Cost: $1 million
Description: Rehabilitating the bridge.
Traffic impacts: The road is closed at the bridge.

Highway: WIS 65
Location: I-94 westbound ramp to just south of Wagner Drive in Roberts
Schedule: April 3 to November
Cost: $6.47 million
Description: Expanding WIS 65 from two to four lanes from the I-94 westbound ramp terminal to about 1,200 feet north of 70th Avenue; installing turn lanes, traffic islands and new traffic signals at the 70th Avenue intersection; upgrading drainage; placing permanent signage and new pavement markings; and modifying the park and ride lot.
Traffic impacts: None; project complete.

Highway: I-94
Location: Safety and weight enforcement facility (SWEF) off eastbound I-94 east of Hudson
Schedule: Sept. 12, 2022, to November 2023 (Updated)
Cost: $21.98 million
Description: Replacing the existing SWEF building with a modern one, reconstructing the parking lots and ramp/loop roadways and constructing an automated truck traffic monitoring system along eastbound I-94, a virtual weigh station along US 12 and an approximate 300-foot communications tower near the new building.
Traffic impacts: Motorists on eastbound I-94 will encounter a continuous outside shoulder closure at SWEF ramp locations.

Highway: I-94
Location: Rush River bridges west of Baldwin
Schedule: Sept. 7, 2021, to October 2023
Cost: $6.14 million
Description: Building temporary roadway and bridges to maintain four lanes of traffic on I-94; removing and replacing the existing east- and westbound I-94 bridges over the Rush River with structures wide enough to allow for an additional lane of traffic on I-94 when warranted, along with approach pavement; clearing and grubbing ditches; and installing storm sewer, signage, pavement marking, guardrail and fence.
Traffic impacts: None; project complete.

Highway: I-94
Location: Carr Creek south of Woodville and County NN between County B and WIS 128
Schedule: July 19, 2021, to November 2023
Cost: $21.6 million
Description: Building temporary roadway and bridges to maintain four lanes of traffic on I-94; removing and replacing the existing east- and westbound I-94 bridges over Carr Creek and County NN with structures wide enough to allow for an additional lane of traffic on I-94 when warranted; constructing eastbound exit ramp and westbound entrance ramp bridges and realigning the ramps at the I-94-County B interchange; extending the north end of the existing box culvert at County NN; and completing grading operations, approach work, sign installation and pavement marking.
Traffic impacts: None; project.

Trempealeau County
Highway: County D
Location: French Creek Bridge southeast of Arcadia
Schedule: Sept. 5 to November
Cost: $771,232
Description: Replacing the bridge.
Traffic impacts: None; project complete.

Highway: WIS 93
Location: Trout Creek Bridge south of Eleva
Schedule: June 29 to November
Cost: $1.43 million
Description: Replacing the bridge, pavement on both sides of the structure and guardrail and placing new pavement markings.
Traffic impacts: None; project complete.

Highway: I-94
Location: County NN north of Osseo to the east county line
Schedule: July 18, 2022, to November 2024
Cost: $23.69 million
Description: Removing and replacing existing east- and westbound I-94 and I-94/US 10 interchange ramp concrete pavement, adding right-turn lanes at the I-94/US 10 interchange in Osseo and completing a polymer/chip seal on the US 10 bridge over I-94.
Traffic impacts: None; construction for 2023 is complete, and work will resume in spring 2024.

Washburn County
Highway: WIS 70
Location: Yellow River culvert east of the city of Spooner
Schedule: Aug. 7 to November (Updated)
Cost: $1.13 million
Description: Removing the existing culvert, constructing a bridge, replacing the pavement on both sides of the structure and placing new pavement markings and signage.
Traffic: None; project complete.