Contractors to begin two DOT projects April 6

Two projects on U.S. Highway 51 that will effect Oneida County in one way or another are scheduled to start on Monday, April 6. 

One project in Minocqua is intended to improve portions of U.S. Highway 51 from the bridge over Lake Minocqua north to Front Street.

Josh Ehler with Chippewa Concrete Services, the project’s primary contractor, said during a March 23 public information meeting the project will begin with work in southbound and northbound lanes of Hwy. 51 “simultaneously working on some of the pavement repairs and centerline patching.”

The work is also to include repair and improvements of curb ramps on sidewalk corners to bring them more into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

Ehler said the plan is for the downtown portion of the project to be concluded by May 21. 

“That way, we can be out of there when the busy season kicks off downtown,” he said. “Northbound, we’re hoping to be done by mid-June.”

Michelle Guoin, a DOT project development manager based at the DOT office in Rhinelander, said Chippewa Concrete Services contractually has until June 18 for that project.

“If unforseen circumstances happen and they have to come back again in the fall, because there’s a blackout time during the peak summer season, the ultimate completion date is Oct. 9,” she said. 

“We’re going to try to get in and get it done but it’s always up in the air with weather,” Ehler said. 

Regarding the pavement, Guoin pointed out there will be the replacement of some of the concrete panels. 

“The majority of it is just strip placements at the joints,” she said. “For the most part, the concrete sections between the joints is in pretty decent shape and that’s the point of these types of improvements ... we’re not pulling out perfectly good concrete pavement just to put new stuff in. We’re really addressing the bad parts to get a few more years of life out of it.”

The other Hwy. 51 project, a 7.2 mile stretch of road, is further south and begins just north of the Hwy. 51/U.S. Highway 8 interchange in Lincoln County. 

A DOT press release from March 20 announcing the project stated during construction, Hwy. 51 will be closed until Memorial Day and the detour route will be Hwy. 8 to State Highway 47.  “After Memorial Day, the remaining work will be done under traffic,” the press release stated. “Motorists can expect to encounter flagging operations and single-lane closures. Construction is scheduled for completion by Sept. 15, 2026.” 

As is the case with most projects of this type, the DOT press release said the schedule “is dependent on favorable weather conditions and construction progress.”

Guoin told The Lakeland Times like the project in Minocqua, much of the Hwy. 51 project in southern Oneida County will include the replacement of concrete pavement panels where needed as well as joint repairs. 

“There will be some bridge work,” she said. “We’re also doing some epoxy overlays on the bridges themselves, protective treatment for the concrete.”

Guoin said in the first stage of the project, the DOT may detour Hwy. 51 for up to 40 calendar days. 

“The bulk of the work is going to happen in that 40 days,” she said. “The contractor has said they’re going to try and get the majority of the joint repairs and most of the actual bridge rehabilitation work done during that time.”

Guoin said there will still be work to be done once the detour is lifted. 

“There’s going to be some mill and overlay work on a section, an asphalt section, within the project limits,” she said. “That will be done after the detour is pulled off and done under flagging.”

The DOT has also pointed out the project is “not associated” with the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 51 and County Highway K and Swamp Lake Road in Oneida County being developed for construction in 2027.

Brian Jopek may be reached via email at [email protected].