Spring is approaching and for Wisconsinites, that triggers the start of road construction season. Three significant projects have been announced to start in the near future in Oneida County, some with projected road closures.

A large road construction project will begin soon in Minocqua to improve Highway 51 between the Lake Minocqua bridge and Front Street.

Work on the $1.2 million project was originally scheduled to begin March 30, but has been pushed back by about one week due to the recent winter storm that struck the state March 14-16.

Chippewa Concrete Services is the prime contractor for the project. Crews will repair deteriorating concrete pavement, reconstruct pedestrian curb ramps and replace pavement markings.

During construction, Highway 51 will have a minimum of one lane open to traffic in each direction. Access will be maintained to businesses and residences at all times.

Construction is scheduled for completion by October 2026.

Pelican project

A $6.2 million project will begin in April to improve Highway 8 between highways 47 and 17.

Before construction starts, an informational meeting will be held Thursday, April 2, at 5 p.m. at the Rhinelander City Hall, 135 S. Stevens St. in Rhinelander. Project staff will share construction details, staging, schedule, traffic impacts and other information.

Musson Brothers is the prime contractor for the project. Crews will remove the existing asphalt and concrete pavement, pave a new asphalt pavement surface and install centerline rumble strips.

The intersections of Highway 17 South and WD Boyce Dr. and County Highway G with Highway 8 will be reconstructed as single-lane roundabouts.

The Highway 17 North and Germond Road intersection with Highway 8 will be milled and overlayed.

During construction, Highway 8 will be closed during construction and detoured onto Highway 17 North, Lincoln Street, South Courtney Street, Pelham Street, Arbutus Street and Kemp Street.

Temporary pavement will be used at the Highway 17 South and WD Boyce Drive and County G intersections to allow access to the detour route from 17 South. Temporary pavement and temporary signals will be used at the County G intersection to allow through traffic on County G.

Construction is scheduled for completion by November 2026.

Nokomis, Woodboro project
Another project slated to begin next month is a $2.8 million improvement on Highway 51 between Highways 8 and L in the towns of Nokomis and Woodboro.

Chippewa Concrete Services is the prime contractor for the project. Crews will repair concrete pavement, resurface the asphalt lanes and shoulders, and complete bridge repair work including application of a surface treatment to the bridges.

During construction, Highway 51 will be closed until Memorial Day. The detour route will be Highway 8 to Highway 47.

After Memorial Day, the remaining work will be done under traffic. Motorists can expect to encounter flagging operations and single-lane closures.

Construction is scheduled for completion by Sept. 15. The schedule is dependent on favorable weather conditions and construction progress.

This project is not associated with the proposed roundabout at Highway 51 and Highway K/Swamp Lake Road in Oneida County being developed for construction in 2027.

All project schedules are dependent on favorable weather conditions and construction progress and are subject to change.

For more information regarding traffic impacts, transportation news and improvement project updates in Wisconsin’s North Central Region, visit projects.511wi.gov/region/north-central.