People coming into Rice Lake from the east on Hwy. C could have a detour next year because of bridge work.

Plans are to replace the bridge over the channel connecting upper and lower Rice Lake next summer or the following year.

The project will cost about $1.1 million. Of that cost, 80% will be from federal funds. The remaining 20% will be split between the City of Rice Lake and Barron County. The bridge is on County Hwy. C, which is also Sawywer Street in the city.

Only about a half dozen people turned out Tuesday for a public information meeting at City Hall about the bridge project. Only one person, a property owner near the bridge, was there from the general public.

Chad Schroeder, of MSA Professional Services, lead the meeting. He said the project has not yet been funded but that work was expected next summer. "This bridge is in desperate need of replacement," he said.

He said the work would take 55-60 working days, and that there would be a detour during the construction.

That detour is Hwy. C to Hwy. M to Hwy. O to Kern Avenue.

Schroeder said the current wooden brige, with four piers, was built in 1953. It will be replaced by a wider, longer concrete bridge with two piers. There will also be a pathway on the west side of the bridge. Bridge rails will be decorative steel, and concrete will be molded to simulate cut blocks.

The roadway will be shifted to the east, with property acquisition necessary from three owners. That process is expected to start in the fall.

Public comments about the project can be submitted until Tuesday, June 15 to Schroeder at MSA Professional Services, 1835 N. Stevens St., Rhinelander, WI 54501, or to "cschroeder@msa-ps.com."
Information provided by ther Chronotype - www.ricelakeonline.com