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• DOT to hold pubic meetings on regional plan; some area projects included

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has published its Six-Year Highway Improvement Program and is seeking public input on the plans for the northwest region's 20-county area.

The program identifies more than 450 projects in the northwest region, which includes the counties of Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau and Washburn.

Those projects would invest more than $600 million into improving over 1,600 miles of highway and 100 bridges.

Two public meetings have been scheduled to gather public input on the program.

The first meeting will be held on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. in Room 105 in the State Office Building located at 718 W. Clairemont Ave., in Eau Claire.

The second meeting will be held on Wednesday in Superior at the DOT office building library located at 1701 N. 4th St. from 4-7 p.m.

These open house type meetings will allow the public to informally meet with WisDOT planners and engineers to discuss the program.

"This is the public's opportunity to be involved early in the planning process to help us identify projects that are not currently scheduled and to give us feedback on projects currently in the planning phases," said Don Gutkowski, Northwest Region Director Don Gutkowski.

One area projects included in the plan include Major projects identified in the program include pavement and bridge replacement on many sections of I-94 between Hudson and Tomah.

Another project to be discussed with be a new interchange on Highway 35 and Radio Road north of River Falls.

DOT officials will also discuss the replacement of the Highway 25 Mississippi River bridge on between Wabasha, Minn., and Nelson.

Projects are included in the plan based on the recommendation of local officials, the public and DOT staff following a thorough engineering analysis.

The program is adjusted every two years in response to public priorities, changing conditions and financing levels approved in the state budget.

A complete listing of all projects within the northwest region is available in the 2008-2013 Six-Year Highway Improvement Program book, which can be obtained at the Eau Claire District office, 718 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, WI. 54701, or by calling 715.836.2891, or via e-mail at eauclaire.dtd@dot.state.wi.us