WisDOT seeking public input on US 53 project in Chippewa County

Proposed work includes replacing pavement from north of County B to north of WIS 64 and completing bridge repairs

Release date: May 22, 2026

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is seeking public input on a proposed pavement replacement project on US 53 from approximately 2,800 feet north of the County B interchange in Tilden to 4,500 feet north of the WIS 64 interchange in the town of Bloomer, all in Chippewa County.

The public is invited to go to the project website, review information about the proposed work and submit comments by June 19, 2026, by:

• Email: ejohnson@reiengineering.com
• Mail: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
  718 W. Clairemont Ave.
  Eau Claire, WI 5470
  Attn.: Nathan Ulness

The pavement on this section of US 53 is nearing the end of its service life. To address this and other issues, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is proposing:

• Replacing the concrete pavement and six inches of aggregate base course on US 53
• Replacing the concrete pavement on the on- and off-ramps at the County B, WIS 40 and WIS 64 interchanges and County B, WIS 40 and WIS 64 between the ramps
• Making repairs to the deck, pier and abutments on the bridge carrying County B over US 53
• Repainting the girders on the bridge carrying County Q over US 53
• Making repairs to the deck, pier and abutments on the bridge carrying WIS 40 over US 53 and repainting the structure's girders
• Replacing culverts, guardrail, right-of-way fence and signage

During construction, US 53 will remain open to a single lane of traffic in both directions on the opposite side of the highway where work is occurring. In addition, the interchange ramps at WIS 40 and WIS 64 will be closed for up to three weeks each, but the north- and southbound ramps at each interchange will not be closed at the same time. WIS 40 and WIS 64 are expected to remain open using staged construction. County B and all its ramps will be fully closed for about three weeks too.

Construction currently is scheduled for 2032, but the work could be advanced to 2028 if funding becomes available.

Motorists are reminded that using handheld cell phones in Wisconsin work zones is illegal. Alerts and updates provided via these sites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, your focus should always be on driving.