Ashland - Saxon 36th Ave to Government Rd USH 2

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is soliciting bids for highway reconstruction on Ashland-Saxon 36th Avenue to Government Road (USH 2) in Ashland County under a federal-aid project, with proposals due November 10, 2026. The project is subject to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program under 49 CFR Part 26 with an assigned DBE participation goal expressed as a percentage of total contract bid amount; bidders must submit a Commitment to Subcontract to DBE (Form DT1506) with supporting documentation or documentation of good faith effort (Form DT1202) if the goal is not met.

The scope includes base aggregate dense, milling, hot mix asphalt pavement, guardrail repairs, marking, and incidental items. Work is located primarily within the Bad River Reservation and requires mandatory tribal coordination with the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, including participation in a tribal coordination meeting and compliance with tribal wetland and waterway permits, invasive species management, and hazardous materials notification. The Native American Hiring Provision requires pre-bid contact with the Bad River Band to discuss hiring and workforce opportunities, with monthly reporting throughout contract execution.

The contractor must commence work no later than May 3, 2027, and begin within 10 calendar days of written notice to proceed. Traffic management mandates maintaining at least one 16-foot clear lane during working hours with flagging operations and a minimum of two-mile separation between separate flagging operations. Lane closures on USH 2 are prohibited during Memorial Day weekend (May 28–June 1), Independence Day weekend (July 2–6), the Bad River Manoomin Celebration Powwow (August 19–23), and Labor Day weekend (September 3–7).

Additional requirements include Highway Construction Skills Training (HCST) program participation with assigned goals for graduate and apprentice placements, electronic load ticket submission for specified HMA items, and bat protection compliance. The contractor must provide a detailed construction time frame within one month of contract execution and at least 14 calendar days before the preconstruction conference.