WHO WE ARE
The Douglas County Highway Department strives to provide quality services to the taxpayers of Douglas County, while at the same time providing quality contracted services with other governmental entities to reduce dependence on county tax levy dollars.
The goals of the department are to increase the overall quality of county highways and bridges and reduce overall road maintenance costs by researching and implementing new technology in equipment and road maintenance methods. The County is responsible for the maintenance of about 335 miles of county roadway and 412 lane-miles of state roadway.
PAST STORMS THAT HAVE DAMAGED ROADS AND BRIDGES
Multiple rounds of heavy rain had caused historic river flooding across parts of Northwest Wisconsin on June 17-18, 2018. Flood warnings were in effect and Douglas County experienced significant damage to roads, culverts and bridge infrastructure. Douglas County was inundated with 3-14 inches of rainfall over that two-day period and water rose several feet within rivers including the Nemadji River.
This isn’t the only significant rain event Douglas County has experienced and in fact had FEMA presidential disasters declared in 2012, 2016 and 2018. According to the National Weather Service, the 2012 and 2016 events were considered 100-year floods, and the 2018 event was considered a 500-year flood. Further, there have been several significant rain events that caused heavy damage to local transportation infrastructure in the past 10 years that have not met the qualifications for a FEMA declaration. These smaller scale events can cause damage in more localized areas and are just as vicious on roads and bridges on a scale that is not as widespread as a FEMA event.
The CTH W bridge was impacted by all the FEMA disaster declared storms and some of the smaller scale ones as well. In 2012 and 2016, debris such as logs, stumps, and other foliage washed up against the bridge deck and blocked the flow of water. When this happens, water travels to the least path of resistance and causes significant damage and washing out of the county road and bridges approaches. In 2018, the water volume and debris piling up against the bridge was so much that the abutments and approaches for the bridge were destroyed, resulting in a year-long closure of the road.
HISTORY ON CTH W BRIDGE
The original Highway W bridge was replaced in 1993. The new design involved the span of the bridge being shortened and it was soon apparent that it became a collection point for logs and other debris to collect within the spans and bridge deck. As result of heavy rains, the pressure of the water would erode the bridge approaches which led to continual repairs of riprap and debris removal.
A traffic study conducted prior to the bridge closure indicated that about 80 cars utilized the bridge each day. Despite the minimal usage, this bridge is crucial in providing access and a lifeline to those in the southern part of Douglas County and neighboring counties within Minnesota. The 2018 Father’s Day storm (June 17th) washed out the Black River levy at Pattison State Park which in turn washed out STH 35. The CTH W bridge over the Nemadji River bridge approaches were also washed out but the highway department was able to reopen CTH W the afternoon of the next day which turned out to be a lifeline to the West central part of the county.
2019 DAMAGES AND FUTURE-
The Nemadji River bridge approaches were again washed out in early October of 2019, and the Highway department backfilled the north approach, but the south abutment was undermined to where wooden forms had to be placed, and concrete grout poured to extend the bottom of the concrete abutment. Before the forms were removed and backfilled, a second storm occurred causing extensive erosion which exposed much more of the steel piling than the previous washouts. It was at that point that a structural analysis would have to be carried out, and a plan developed for repairs. With this significant damage, the highway commissioner evaluated options of permanently closing the structure or repairing to original condition prior to flooding aided with Wisconsin Disaster Funding (WDF). The county had utilized WDF several times before and sought a more permanent solution to mitigate future flooding damage.
For a permanent repair solution, the highway department inquired about converting the existing south bridge approach to a pier and adding spans to the south. With much engineering design and consideration, it turned out that this option would be achievable. After an unsuccessful grant application in 2021, a second attempt was successful in 2023, and Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH) consulting engineers were contracted in September of 2023 to design bridge rehabilitation and additions. It was determined that replacement costs were to be around $1.75 million, and the county was granted a portion of these funds via Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Appropriation Grant (LPDM) – Approved 9/21/2023.
BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION-
Through the Douglas County procurement process, Northland Constructors awarded the project contract for $1.75 million repair in May of 2025. Construction for the project began June 30, 2025, which included the addition of two 30 ft. spans to the south and sheet piling along both the north and south approached and grouted riprap along the same allowing for roadway overtopping during flood events. Design also includes concrete spall repair on the existing structure and the addition of much heavier riprap for erosion protection. Since 1993 construction of the existing structure log build up has been a problem and dolphin piling was looked at to be installed upstream approximately 160 ft to catch the logs. This alteration was decided against because the department had no way to clean the debris caught by the dolphins and log build up may still occur in major rain events.
CTH W BRIDGE OPENING-
Bridge construction was completed and CTH W opened on November 21, 2025. The long-awaited reopening of CTH W is a big relief to both the local residents but also the highway department when it comes to both summer and winter maintenance. With the closer, it was an inconvenience for commuters and long way around for everyone. The hopes are that the upgraded engineering designs and improvements will stand the test of future storms and allow CTH W to remain passible for years to come.
