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Vilas County Prepares for Busy 2021 Road Construction Season

PIXABAY.COM

Road reconstruction season is fast approaching. The Vilas County traffic safety commission reviewed those areas last week where motorists can expect delays and detours this summer.

One of the longest reconstruction areas will be 12.6 miles of Highway 70 east from Highway 45 to Divide Road in Forest County. This is expected to start in June and not be finished until sometime in August, but no detours will be involved.

One area questioned by Jim Egan, chairman of the town of Washington, was by East Anvil Lake road with a severe drop off on both sides of Highway 70 for approximately 500 feet to the west. It appears no guard rails will be installed but the Wisconsin DOT indicated they “will reach out” to further review the reasons.

Supervisor Holly Tomlanovich said “we are working to build a multi-use trail on the north side of the Highway 70 bridge by Boat Sport” since UTV/ATV’s are not allowed to cross the bridge.

Egan also commented on the resurfacing of about three miles of Military Road from Highway 70 south to the Oneida County line. It was noted the sharp “S curve” that has had accidents and even claimed one life, will not be changed.

While only about three miles are in Vilas County, Highway 17 from Rhinelander to Highway 70 west of Eagle River will be repaved.

A short 3.8 miles of Highway 51 north to Highway M will be repaved and the Highway 51 at Highway H intersection where a number of significant accidents occurred will be studied for an activated warning system. It was noted one of the stop signs get a tree shadow that may be part of the problem.

While it will be less than a mile, Highway B from School Loop Road to Crab Lake Road will be closed for about one week to replace culverts with detours according to county highway commissioner Troy Schalinske. He also said plans for the Highway K bridge over the Wisconsin River in Conover have been changed to “stage construction” with signal lights rather than a separate bypass or detour. The changed design will increase the travel width from 28 to 42 feet.

Two additional culvert replacements will be in Boulder Junction and will also require detours, according to Schalinske.

“One is a culvert on Highway K west of Boulder Junction and Highway M south on Stevenson and Allequash creeks,” Schalinske said. “Both will require detours of considerable length.” He indicated motorists need to slow down and be careful by the workers.

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