Drivers on State 54 between Wisconsin Rapids and Plover will be dealing with construction for at least two more weeks.

Wisconsin DOT project manager Korey Boehm said crews are now working toward a Nov. 20 finish on the remaining items: partial-depth concrete repairs, grinding of the concrete pavement to improve ride quality, permanent pavement markings, rumble strips, and sealing of pavement and shoulder joints. Exactly when traffic control such as barrels and signs will come down is not yet known, and some limited work may still remain for spring.

The project covers nearly 13 miles, from 26th Street North in Biron to Portage County B in Plover. It began in April and was first expected to wrap up by the end of August, then was extended to the end of October, a stretch that included a two-week full closure at two railroad crossings.

Boehm said the delays trace back to how much concrete repair the road needed, and that the added repair work in turn pushed back the grinding, marking and other finishing steps. The overall project has included replacing concrete joints, curb and gutter work, pedestrian ramp upgrades, median adjustments and pavement repairs.

The next significant work on the corridor is planned for 2028, when a safety project at 110th Street, near McCain Foods, would add an eastbound acceleration lane, update the westbound deceleration lane and add signs warning when trucks are entering or leaving. Project updates are posted at projects.511wi.gov.