Governor Evers approves US 53 improvement project in Superior

Construction includes resurfacing a segment of US 53 (East 2nd Street), closing median at E Street to reduce crashes, widening Lenroot Drive for two lanes of traffic

Release date: May 29, 2025

To invest in Wisconsin’s transportation system, Gov. Tony Evers has signed a $3.98 million contract with prime contractor Chippewa Concrete Services, Inc. of Chippewa Falls for an improvement project on US 53 (East 2nd Street) between 2nd Avenue East and Hughitt Avenue in the Douglas County city of Superior. Construction tentatively is scheduled to start June 9, but crews will mobilize traffic control the week of June 2.

The pavement on this segment of US 53 is showing signs of deterioration. The highway’s intersection at E Street also experiences a higher-than-average amount of crashes compared to similar intersections of this type throughout Wisconsin. To address these, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is planning the following:

• For the road rehabilitation project:
• Milling 1.5 inches off the roadway between Hughitt Avenue and the bridge over the railroad tracks and overlaying the driving lanes with a 1.5-inch layer of asphalt
• This maintenance work, which includes overlaying the ramps from and to the Blatnik Bridge, is a temporary treatment in advance of the Blatnik Bridge replacement project.
• Construction on the Blatnik Bridge project currently is anticipated to begin in fall 2026; however, that schedule is tentative.
• Milling the existing asphalt pavement down to the concrete pavement between the bridge over the railroad tracks and 2nd Avenue East, making spot repairs to the underlying concrete and then placing 3 inches of new asphalt pavement
• Making spot curb and gutter repairs
• Repairing various inlets and storm and sanitary sewer manholes
• Upgrading or installing curb ramps at pedestrian crossings
• For the safety project, construction includes:
• Closing the existing median on US 53 at E Street
• Adding new turn bays on US 53 to for motorists turning right onto E Street
• Widening Lenroot Drive, currently a one-way street, to accommodate two-lane, two-way traffic
• Making improvements at the intersection of Lenroot Drive and Winter Street
• Milling the existing pavement on Lenroot Drive, Winter Street and East 1st Street and then overlaying the roads with asphalt

During construction, US 53 will remain open to traffic for most work, but motorists will encounter single-lane closures. Milling and paving of the Blatnik Bridge ramps will result in short-term closures of the ramps, and traffic will be detoured. In addition, the first stage of the safety improvement project will result in the closure of Lenroot Drive to through traffic; access will be maintained to businesses there.

Construction is scheduled for completion in early October.

For more information, visit the project’s construction website: projects.511wi.gov/us53superior/.

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.