Highway 23 bridge expected to be open to one-lane traffic by June

Jim Simpson, P.E., P.L.S., Project Manager, Wisconsin Department of Transportation

A view of the construction working being done on the Highway 23 Bridge. The bridge is expected to be open for single-lane traffic by June. Photo via WisDOT

The relatively good weather this winter and even warmer weather these last few weeks have kept this project on schedule. The dedicated employees of Kraemer North America worked nearly every day this winter. They took only a few days off for some large snowfall events and a week of bitterly cold temperatures.

WisDOT, WisDNR and Kraemer North America worked together to ensure the bridge removal process minimized debris from entering the Wisconsin River. A detailed river bottom scans both before and after the deck removal confirmed minimal debris entered the river. Kraemer North America hired a dive team to remove the few pieces identified by these two scans. That dive team successfully removed those pieces in early January.

Currently, the wooden falsework needed to pour the concrete deck is in place. Next week, Kraemer North America will begin placing the deck reinforcing bars into their specified locations. With continued good weather portions of the new concrete deck (i.e. driving surface) will be poured in April.

A few of reminders again as mentioned previously:

  • Thank you for your patience during this construction project, utilizing our detour route and driving safe.
  • The bridge will remain closed throughout the winter and spring. The bridge is to be open to traffic (likely one lane that will utilize traffic signals to alternate traffic between northbound to southbound vehicles) in June of 2021. The entire project is to be completed and the bridge fully open to traffic in September of 2021.
  • The river under the bridge will be a work zone during construction. The river will remain open to boaters and other recreational users, but some portions will be restricted for your protection.

Be alert for crews working and use caution when navigating this area.

For additional information:

Visit the project’s website at:  https://projects.511wi.gov/wis23bridge-saukcounty/, 
contact WisDOT at:  WisDOT Project Questions, (608) 246-3800 or swr.dtsd@dot.wi.gov, or
contact the project manager at:  Jim Simpson, (608) 246-5628 or jim.simpson@dot.wi.gov.