Work starts on Little Suamico River highway bridge

Work began Oct. 31 on a $1.47 million project to improve the southbound U.S. Highway 41 bridge over the Little Suamico River in the town of Little Suamico.

The regional office of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation said the work is expected to continue through spring of 2023. A long-term lane closure of southbound Highway 41 begins in December.

Zenith Tech of Waukesha is the prime contractor. Only the southbound bridge is affected.

The project involves full replacement of bridge deck with a new concrete deck and new parapet walls; replacing the roadway pavement approaches to the structure; changing the vertical profile of the roadway to improve drainage over the bridge; replacing the guardrail on the bridge approach; and cleaning and painting sections of the existing steel girders and bearings.

This week through early December, crews will build the shoulder on the bridge to begin handling southbound Highway 41 traffic crossing the bridge. Short-term lane closures may take place, but not during the deer hunt or Green Bay Packers home games.

The bridge rehabilitation itself is expected to begin in December, with long-term lane closures planned. Motorists should expect delays during peak traffic times.

The DOT says the project will increase the useable lifespan of the bridge and decrease future maintenance costs. The slight change in profile should improve drainage over the structure.