BAYFIELD STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

City Council has appointed a Bayfield Street Beautification Ad-Hoc Committee to assist in developing a plan for improving the look of Bayfield Street. The reconstruction of Bayfield Street provides an opportunity to enhance the main thoroughfare of Washburn. The committee is seeking input on what to include in the recommendations that will be presented to the City Council in April 2024. 

An online survey was conducted to collect public opinion. Two community meetings were held in March 2024.  Below are the survey results.  

The Bayfield Street Phase 1 Reconstruction Project has finally begun.  The detour route is now open, with signage directing to businesses.  The 4th and 8th Avenues will remain open for crossover traffic; that is until construction is at those intersections. Further updates on this will be provided as the project progresses. Residents should also be aware of the following items:

• Sidewalks on the south side of the street will remain open for pedestrian usage to enter businesses.  Unless water/sewer connection work is occurring at that specific location.  The north sidewalk will be closed and is not for pedestrian usage.  Please use the alternative entrances for these business.  The one exception is Lake Salon , as they have no back entrance.
• There will be no parking allowed on the detour route and the detour route will have Class B weight limits with an exception for local deliveries. 
• Once construction commences, expect construction work and related noise between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday. 
• When the project starts, the entire pavement from approximately 2nd Avenue West to 8th Avenue West will be removed.  Pavement from 8th Avenue West to Thompson’s Creek will be removed at a later date but the detour is still in effect, so only necessary access will be allowed. 
• Property owners with mailboxes will be contacted for individual removal.

Plans are proceeding with the April 1 start for the Bayfield Street Phase 1 Reconstruction Project. It is possible that work could begin prior to April 1, and residents should in fact expect the detour route to be in place prior to April 1. Further updates on this will be provided once details are known. Residents should also be aware of the following items:

• Signage and other items will start to be removed from street lights by the end of February. The streetlights will also be removed prior to the project beginning, so expect the street lights to stop functioning at some point in March. 
• Detour signage will be going up in advance of the detour opening. There will be no parking allowed on the detour route and the detour route will have Class B weight limits with an exception for local deliveries. 
• Necessary tree removals will be occurring prior to April 1. 
• Once construction commences, expect construction work and related noise between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday. 
• When the project starts, the entire pavement from approximately 1st Avenue West to 8th Avenue West will be removed.  Pavement from 8th Avenue West to Thompson’s Creek will be removed at a later date but the detour is still in effect, so only necessary access will be allowed. 
• Property owners with mailboxes will be contacted for individual removal.
• Property owners affected by sewer and water work will be receiving information soon on lateral replacement requirements and options. 

​In preparation for the Bayfield Street Phase 1 Project occurring next year, the grading and paving of Holman Lakeview Drive and the milling and paving of Bigelow Street is scheduled to start on October 28.  

This work is being done as part of the detour route for the project. There will be about a week of work that will start with adding gravel base on Holman Lakeview Drive, the milling of Bigelow Street, and then the paving of both streets. The streets will not get pavement markings until the spring.  

Residents along the route will be able to access their homes, but the roads will be closed to all other traffic.  

In addition, the City is changing the stop sign configuration of all the intersecting streets along this route. There will be four-way stops at all intersections until after the paving is completed at which point the stop signs along Holman Lakeview Drive and Bigelow Street will be removed.  

Because of this work, the City will be removing the docks at the Thompson’s West End Boat Ramp prior to October 28.

WisDOT held a Public Involvement Meeting regarding the proposed reconstruction project on WIS 13 from the Washington Avenue to Superior Avenue in the City of Washburn.

The proposed improvements would consist of removing and reconstructing the existing pavement with concrete pavement, replacing the curb and gutter and sidewalk. Other proposed work will consist of replacing storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water mains and street lights. 

Below is a recording of the meeting, with a presentation (about 60 minutes) and Q&A period following.  Contact the project manager for any specific questions on the WisDOT's scope of work.  

Jessica Bowker, WisDOT Project Manager
Mail: 718 West Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701

Email: Jessica.Bowker [at] dot.wi.gov

Phone: at 715-577-2963