$10.1 million US 51 project begins this week

By RALPH ANSAMI

[email protected]

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said James Peterson Sons, Inc., of Medford, is the prime contractor for a $10.1 million U.S. 51 project that began this week with tree clearing.

The U.S. 51 construction work will begin in mid-March. The project will be between Rocky Run Road and Oneida County Y in Cassian and Hazelhurst.

Crews will:

—Reconstruct the highway.

—Replace culverts.

—Reconstruct intersections.

—Lengthen existing passing lanes.

—Construct a new bridge over Rocky Run Creek.

A meeting to discuss the contractor’s schedule and how traffic will be managed during construction is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Cassian Town Hall in Harshaw, according to the DOT.

Eighty percent of the project will be financed with federal transportation funds, with the remaining 20 percent paid with state transportation funds.

U.S. 51 will remain open to one lane in each direction during construction, the DOT said.

Motorists can expect to encounter single-lane closures, flagging operations and temporary traffic signals. Some delays can be expected during peak travel times.

The project schedule includes:

—Wednesday: Crews planned to begin clearing trees. The work continues through March.

—Mid-March: Construction begins.

—November 2017: Work is scheduled for completion.

Construction schedules are dependent on favorable weather.