CHETEK, Wis. (WJMC) — Chetek residents and local officials have voiced their objections to a proposed 18-mile construction detour around the Chetek Long Bridge.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation plans to do repair work to the bridge deck and structure in the spring or summer of 2026.
At an informational online meeting Wednesday morning, Dexter Kaetterhenry, a consulting project engineer with Gremmer & Associates, assisting WisDOT, said alternatives to a detour came with other traffic issues.
“The other component would be staging the construction with temporary traffic signals. The issue with temporary traffic signals is that the queuing—that’s the length from the lights to how far back cars build up—can exceed a quarter of a mile in length,” Kaetterhenry said.
“At times of high congestion of traffic, that could be as far as, on the south side, County Road SS, or could be even a half-mile long on the north side. [ … ] Could be another 10-15 minute wait, just in that.”
Kaetterhenry said another plan would have public traffic detoured, but allow police, fire, EMS and school buses across the bridge and through the work zone.
Local residents and officials, including the police and fire chiefs, school superintendent and county highway commissioner voiced objections to any detour, citing emergency response times and adverse economic impact.
WisDOT said the project could take 40 to 50 days with a detour, or 60 to 75 days with traffic signals. It will cost between $1-2 million.
Public comments are being taken until August 30. See project information and contact info online. Go to wisconsindot.gov, and search for “Lake Chetek Bridge.”
