Plans come together to improve local transportation

Seven new projects are under consideration as part of the Superior Transportation Improvement Program for 2021-2024.

The plan sets the schedules for improvements to the greater Superior-area transportation program and is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation to make projects eligible for federal funding.

In addition to the seven road projects, the plan includes two railroad projects and transit-related activities, said Sheldon Johnson, director of Northwest Regional Planning Commission.

The railroad projects are expected to cost $100,000 and will install gates and signals at highway rail crossings on East Fifth Street in Superior and County Highway C in Douglas County.

Three of the projects included in the plan take place in Douglas County in 2021, Johnson said. One Douglas County project is planned for each year in 2022 and 2023. The remaining projects are in Superior and will take place in 2024.

In 2021, workers will pulverize and pave County Highway Z from County Highway A to Old Lyman Lake Road, County Highway U from County Highway UU to State Highway 35, and County Highway W from Olson Road to County Highway C.

Reconstruction of County Highway Z from Old Lyman Lake Road to U.S. Highways 2/53 is planned for 2023 at a cost $3.8 million dollars.

In 2022, County Highway C will be reconstructed from the Minnesota state border to State Highway 35 at a cost of $4.6 million. Preliminary design for the project will take place in 2021.

In Superior, projects include the city-sponsored reconstruction of Hammond Avenue from North 21st to 28th streets and resurfacing U.S. Highway 53 from Second Avenue East to the Blatnik Bridge and Hughitt Avenue, sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

The public can weigh in on the plan by contacting Johnson at 715-635-2197 or [email protected] through Sunday, Sept. 20.

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