Governor approves WIS 169 resurfacing project in Ashland County

Access to Copper Falls State Park, properties in work zone to be maintained

Release date: June 10, 2025

To invest in Wisconsin’s transportation system, Gov. Tony Evers has signed a $7.1 million contract with prime contractor Northwoods Paving of Ashland for a resurfacing project on WIS 169 from WIS 13 in the city of Mellen to the Iron County line, all in Ashland County. Construction is scheduled to start Monday, June 16.

The pavement on this segment of WIS 169 is showing signs of deterioration. To address this and other issues, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is proposing to:

• Remove a portion of the existing pavement, pulverize the subbase and inject it with an asphaltic emulsion and then overlay the roadway with 3.5 inches of new asphalt pavement
• Replace the deck on the Bad River Bridge
• Replace some culverts and place new ones
• Repair an eroding ditch
• Remove railroad crossing
• The railroad will replace the crossing later.
• Clean culverts and ditches where needed
• Add centerline rumble strips
• Adjust and/or replace guardrail
• Enhance gravel shoulders
• Place pavement markings

During construction, WIS 169 will remain open to local traffic, cyclists and pedestrians for the duration of the project. However, WIS 169 will be closed to through traffic for five to six weeks for bridge deck replacement and rail crossing removal. During that time, access to Copper Falls State Park will be routed through Mellen, and through traffic will be detoured via WIS 13, US 2, US 51 and WIS 77; this detour will remain in place for trucks for the duration of the project.

Once the bridge is completed, campers wanting to access the park will only be able to access it from south end of project. Campers coming from the north will have to use the truck detour. The North Country National Scenic Trail and others will remain open to hikers during the project.

Construction is scheduled for completion in late September.

For more information, visit the project’s construction website: projects.511wi.gov/wis169/.

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.