Location
The bridge carries WIS 64 over US 53 in the Chippewa County town of Bloomer.
Overview
Built in 1971, the bridge is showing signs of deterioration. To address this, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation plans to:
- Replace the bridge deck
- Replace the bridge approaches
- Complete spot painting of girder ends
- Clean and paint pier bearings
- Replace abutment bearings
- Make concrete surface repairs to bridge abutments
- Replace guardrail connected to the bridge and around the pier on US 53
- Replace and move a surface drain
- Reseal the asphaltic slopes in front of abutments
- Place new pavement markings
A small roadway profile increase is expected on WIS 64 because of the project. Because of this, the sight distance at the intersections of WIS 64 and the north- and southbound US 53 ramps was investigated. Although the existing and design sight distance at the two ramp intersections does not meet the 60-mile-per-hour criteria, sight distance currently meets the 55-mile-per-hour minimum requirement per coordination with the Northwest Region design oversight engineer. The sight distance will meet or exceed the 55-mile-per-hour criteria throughout design and construction.
Schedule
Construction currently is scheduled for 2029.
Traffic Impacts
During construction:
- WIS 64 will remain open to a single lane of traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals.
- Off-peak single-lane closures will be used on US 53 as necessary, and full closures might be required on US 53 for the deck removal.
- If US 53 is closed, traffic will be routed around construction via the US 53/WIS 64 interchange on- and off-ramps.
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Detour map
Public Involvement
WisDOT sought public input on the project in late 2025. Included below are the documents related to that effort:
Contacts
Sarah Erickson
WisDOT Northwest Region Project Leader
(715) 340-5421
sarah.erickson@dot.wi.gov
Daniel Rambo
WisDOT Northwest Region Project Manager
(715) 514-7255
daniel.rambo@dot.wi.gov
Nicole Passuello
WisDOT Northwest Region Project Supervisor
(715) 833-5572
nicole.passuello@dot.wi.gov
Christena T. O’Brien
WisDOT Northwest Region Communications Manager
(715) 833-9814, (715) 828-9471
christena.obrien@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Northwest Region, Eau Claire Office
718 W. Clairemont Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 836-2891, (800) 991-5285
nwr.dtsd@dot.wi.gov