Public meeting set for County X bridge replacement project

Proposed work includes increasing the vertical height of the structure, along with replacing pavement on both sides of bridge, guardrail and culvert pipes

Release date: November 8, 2024

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is holding a public involvement meeting to share details about improvements proposed for the County X bridge over WIS 29 at exit 80 in the Chippewa County town of Lafayette.

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the proposed improvements, ask questions of project staff and share their input.

• When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20
• A presentation is planned for 5:45 p.m.
• Where: Lafayette Town Hall, 5765 197th St., Chippewa Falls.

Built in 1966, the existing bridge is nearing the end of its service life. WisDOT is proposing to:

• Replace the structure.
• The project will increase the vertical height of the new bridge to meet current standards.
• Replace approach pavement on either side of the bridge.
• Replace guardrail on the bridge approaches and in the WIS 29 median.
• Replace culvert pipes under the County X eastbound ramp.

During construction, motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:

• All lanes of WIS 29 will be open to traffic in the work zone during peak travel times.
• One lane in both directions on WIS 29 will be open to traffic during nonpeak travel times.
• Six to eight full nighttime closures of WIS 29 will be necessary for critical bridge work, with traffic detoured.
• Eastbound WIS 29: Traffic will exit at the WIS 178/Business WIS 29 interchange (exit 79) and follow WIS 178 north to County J east and then south to return to WIS 29.
• Westbound WIS 29: Traffic will exit at the County J interchange (exit 81) to County J north to County X west to return to WIS 29.
• WIS 29 will reopen prior to morning peak traffic conditions.
• The WIS 29 eastbound ramp to County X at exit 80 will be closed for the duration of the project.
• WIS 29 eastbound traffic wanting to exit onto County X will be detoured to the 50th Avenue interchange (exit 81), approximately 0.75 mile east of exit 80 on WIS 29; motorists will then head east on 50th Avenue and north on County J to access County X.
• The ramp from County X to WIS 29 westbound will remain open to traffic during the project.

Construction is scheduled for 2028.

Hard-of-hearing, deaf, deaf-blind or those with a speech disability needing accommodations should contact the Wisconsin Telecommunication Relay Service via 711 at least three days before the meeting.

Those who can't attend the meeting can view materials on the project website. Comments on the proposed project are being accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, by:

• Email: james.rinzel@dot.wi.gov
• Mail: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
  

  718 W. Clairemont Ave.
  Eau Claire, WI 54701
  Attn.: James Rinzel

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.