Area Road Construction Projects

Those of us who live in the northland are accustomed to summer construction season.  This summer there are a number of larger construction projects in our area that can make navigation a little more challenging, primarily because some of the projects have road and bridge closures that require choosing alternate routes. 

Below are some construction projects that are affecting area travel.

US 53 in Chippewa County

US 53 is under construction from 40^th Avenue in Lake Hallie to County B in the town of Tilden.  This project is expected to continue through late June 2026.

• Currently motorists will encounter single-lane closures on northbound US 53 between 40^th and 100^th avenues and southbound US 53 between 40^th Avenue and County Q.
• The off-ramp from northbound US 53 to Business 29/County X and the on-ramp to northbound US 53 from Business 29/County X are closed until noon July 3.
• The off-ramp from southbound US 53 to Business 29/County X and the on-ramp from Business 29/County X to southbound US 53 are closed until noon July 3.

WIS 29: 50th Ave Interchange and 50th Ave and County J Intersection

Removing and replacing the bridge, building retaining walls along east- and westbound WIS 29 at the abutments, replacing the roadway approach pavement and the pavement on the interchange ramps and replacing culverts, guardrail and pavement markings. This project will increase the vertical clearance of the bridge over the highway. For the 50th Avenue/County J intersection project: Constructing a single-lane roundabout, completing approach work on all legs leading into the roundabout, increasing the roadway profile an average of three feet to accommodate the profile rise of the new bridge and replacing storm sewer.

Motorists can expect the following impacts on:

• WIS 29:
• The 50th Avenue interchange is closed, and traffic is being detoured via County J and County X.
• The inside shoulders on east- and westbound WIS 29 are closed at 50th Avenue.
• Motorists will encounter single-lane closures between County X and County J and reduced speed limit of 55 mph during working hours.
• County J:
• The highway is open to traffic at 50^th Avenue and will remain open throughout construction, using temporary roadways and flagging operations.
• 50th Avenue:
• The road is closed between Stillson Elementary School and 171st streets through September, and traffic is being detoured using 160th Street, 40th Avenue, County J and County X.
• The road also is closed east of County J.
• Access to residences and businesses is being maintained throughout construction using temporary roads and flagging.

WIS 124 South Resurfacing (Duncan Creek to Bridge Street)

• Construction is set to begin on Monday, June 2. WIS 124 South will remain open but expect lane and side road closures.
• Construction is scheduled for completion in late October.

Duncan Creek Bridge north of Bloomer

• The road is closed at the bridge due to replacing the bridge.  Construction will continue until early July.

For a complete list of area projects, check the Wisconsin DOT website. projects.511wi.gov/region/northwest/