Cornell – Ladysmith Chippewa/Rusk Co Ln to USH 8

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is soliciting bids for the Cornell–Ladysmith highway project on State Trunk Highway 27 in Chippewa and Rusk Counties, with bids due December 8, 2026. A proposal guaranty bond must accompany each bid, and payment is made by unit prices bid in the proposal schedule.

Scope includes asphaltic surface milling, culvert replacement, HMA pavement, base aggregate, concrete surface repair, box culvert wingwall repair, curb and gutter, curb ramps, traffic signal replacement, guardrail, slope work, restoration, traffic control, and pavement markings. HMA work requires Stone Matrix Asphalt test strips with volumetric and density testing, material transfer vehicle use, and nuclear density gauge correlation. The contractor must coordinate with the City of Ladysmith water and sewer systems, Jump River Electric Cooperative, and Brightspeed of Northern Wisconsin fiber lines. Work near the Wisconsin Central Ltd (CN) railroad requires railroad protective liability coverage and CN Safety and Security Awareness training for all contractor employees. A 14-day closure of STH 27 for railroad crossing work uses detours via STH 64, STH 40, and USH 8.

The project falls under WPDES Transportation Construction General Permit requirements for approximately 1.0 acre of land-disturbing activity. Environmental provisions include fish spawning restrictions from April 1 to June 1, tree clearing limited to April 15 through October 31, endangered bat habitat protection, and climbing turtle exclusion fencing. Holiday and special event restrictions apply to Memorial Day, Independence Day, Northland Mardi Gras Festival, Rusk County Fair, and Labor Day.

The contractor must begin work within 10 calendar days after written notice to proceed and complete all work within the 2027 construction season. The construction time frame is due within one month of contract execution and at least 14 calendar days before the preconstruction conference.