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: 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, 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 and a reduced speed limit of 60 mph in work zones.
- US 53 South reopens to two lanes of traffic, with a 70-mph speed limit between closures.
- There is a maximum width of 15 feet 3 inches on the open lane on most bridges.
- County AA under southbound US 53 southeast of the bridge over County A is closed until Monday, Sept. 29 for removal of the bridge deck above.
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.
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.
Rusk County
- No current projects
Sawyer County
Highway: County B
- Location: 2nd Street to West Chippewa Trail
- Schedule: Aug. 8 to early October Cost: $807,337
- Description: Removing a portion of the existing pavement, placing new asphalt pavement, replacing concrete curb and gutter at spot locations, improving curb ramp and installing new pavement markings.
- Traffic Impacts: One lane of County B is open in each direction.
Highway: County CC
- Location: Bridge over the Chippewa Flowage southwest of New Post
- Schedule: Sept. 8 to early November
- Cost: $613,953 Description: Replacing the bridge deck, making abutment repairs, replacing approach pavement, placing riprap and replacing guardrail.
- Traffic Impacts: The road is closed at the bridge.
Washburn County
- No current projects
Last Update: Sep 26, 2025 5:14 pm CDT
