HIGHWAY 17 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH IN LINCOLN COUNTY

The first phase of improvements to Highway 17 begins later this month in Lincoln County.

WisDot says culvert work and the removal and replacement of the Barnes Creek bridge will be included in this phase. A new concrete girder bridge will be installed over the creek, which runs just north of Smith Road before Barnes Creek Ave. Highway 17 will be closed at the bridge during construction with traffic being detoured to County G.

Work being completed during the $870,000 project was awarded to Sheet Piling Services of Custer, WI. Construction is expected to be completed in August, weather permitting.

Plans for the next phase of renovations to Highway 17 from the Town of Merril to Rhinelander are currently being finalized, with work scheduled to take place in the summer of 2027. The project will require full closure and detour of WIS 17, utilizing WIS 64, US 51 and US 8.