Days numbered for bridge over U.S. 2

By Zachary Marano

[email protected]

HURLEY, Wis. - As work continues to construct a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 2 and 51, Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials are planning the demise of the bridge over U.S. 2.

Project Engineer Erik Lundwall said that constructions crews will start removing the bridge in late June, beginning with the half of the bridge that goes over the former westbound lanes on U.S. 2.

"Bi-directional traffic is currently in eastbound U.S. 2 lanes while we work on the westbound portion," Lundwall told the Daily Globe this week. "Upon completion of the westbound portion, traffic will be bi-directional in the westbound lanes while we construct the eastbound portion of U.S. 2."

Redirecting all traffic on U.S. 2 to one lane of the highway has allowed crews to work in the other lane unimpeded by passing vehicles, Lundwall said.

Workers will finish removing the bridge and start working in the eastbound lane in mid to late July, he said.

Lundwall said the embarkment at the end of U.S. 51 is being removed to lower the highway to the same elevation level of the planned roundabout at U.S. 2.

Large amounts of dirt are being excavated to flatten the area. The excavated material will remain just north of the bridge after the project is done, Lundwall said.

The completion date of the project is planned to be Oct. 28, Lundwall said.

The bridge that will be dismantled was started in 1961 and completed the following year, according to Tegan Griffith, WDOT spokesperson.