Wood County, Wisconsin

Official Website

User Icon Login

Wood County Highway Department

Wood County Highway Department

Office Information

Wood County Highway Department
Wood County Highway Department (Map)
Commissioner: Roland Hawk
Regular Hours (September-April):
7:00am - 3:00pm M-F
Summer Hours (May-August):
6:00am - 4:00pm M-Th
Phone: 715-421-8875
Fax: 715-421-8874
Find us on Facebook: Wood County Highway Department

Highway Announcements

Brine Applicaition

Posted 9/14/2026 by rkrause@co.wood.wi.us

Conditions are becoming favorable for frost to form in some areas. Brine application to bridges will begin within the next few weeks. When overnight temperatures are consistently below freezing, other areas will require brine to be applied. These areas include bridges, curves, hills, and heavily shaded areas.

CTH M PIM

Posted 9/3/2026 by rkrause@co.wood.wi.us

 

The Wood County Highway Department is considering an undertaking located on County Trunk Highway (CTH) M from CTH P to the Wood/Marathon County line.  Wood County Highway will be replacing the pavement on CTH M and proposes improvements at the intersections with CTH H and CTH Y.  The County is proposing a single lane roundabout for the CTH H & M intersection.  The CTH Y intersection would have right turn lanes added.  Minor real estate acquisitions are anticipated for this project.  The CTH H & M intersection would be closed during construction.  No detour has been proposed at this time.  Traffic will have access to local residences.  Construction is tentatively scheduled for 2028.

 

The County has scheduled a Public Involvement Meeting to provide information about this project and gather input.  You are invited to attend the meeting scheduled for:

 

Public Involvement Meeting Location

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

4:30-6:30

Village of Auburndale Hall

5988 1st St.

Auburndale, WI 54412

 

The meeting will follow an open-house format with a short presentation scheduled for 5:00 PM.  Staff from Wood County Highway and design consultant CORRE, Inc. will be on hand to answer questions about the project and obtain your comments. The meeting location is wheelchair accessible.

 

You are encouraged to attend the meeting, provide input, and ask questions regarding this project.  Coordination with area residents and businesses, local governments, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders will continue throughout the project.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Roland Hawk, PE, Wood County Highway Commissioner at (715) 421-8875. 

 

Sincerely,

Roland Hawk, PE

Wood County Highway Commissioner

Wood County Highway Department

2026 Road Construction Projects Update

Posted 8/27/2026 by rkrause@co.wood.wi.us

See Attached for and update on 2026 County Highway construction projects.

2026 Road Construction Projects Update

Posted 8/25/2026 by rkrause@co.wood.wi.us

See the attached for an update on CTH F, CTH HH/CTH F intersection, CTH AA, and CTH U.

CTH A Class B Road Classification

Posted 8/25/2026 by rkrause@co.wood.wi.us
CTH A Press Release

The Wood County Highway Infrastructure and Recreation Committee on July 8, 2026, adopted Class B Road Classification for Wood County Trunk Highway A from Wisconsin State Highway 73/80 to US Highway 10. The posting will take effect after signs are installed, which is anticipated to be completed August 21, 2026.

This decision to classify CTH A as a Class B roadway is to protect the roadway from structural damage caused by heavy vehicle weights. Class B designation legally restricts vehicles to carrying 60% of the standard legal weight limit allowed on Class A highways. Regional heavy traffic will be directed to use adjacent State Highways 80 and 186 until CTH A is reconstructed to withstand Class A legal weight limits.

Local Commerce Exemptions include deliveries or pick ups of fuel, commodities, and supplies from a home or business located directly on CTH A. Due to public health and welfare; there are exceptions for emergency vehicles, school buses, and local utility maintenance trucks.

Any oversized or overweight vehicle must obtain a permit from the Wood County Highway Commissioner prior to accessing any Wood County Highway. If a heavy load exceeding the Class B weight limit cannot find a different route other than CTH A, contact the Wood County Highway Commissioner to obtain a permit to enter CTH A.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Wood County Highway Department is to construct and maintain 324 miles of the county trunk highway system, along with maintaining the state trunk highway system in Wood County on a contract basis for the State of Wisconsin. Additionally, the department provides road and bridge maintenance services to local governmental units upon request on a cost charge back basis. To accomplish this work, the department is responsible for the purchase and repair of all necessary equipment, as well as maintenance of an administrative staff for all accounting and ordering of equipment and supplies. Our goal is to provide for safe, convenient movement of the traveling public.

Did You Know?

  • The Wood County Highway Department imposes seasonal weight restrictions on most county trunk highways during the spring thaw.
    The seasonal weight restrictions typically occur from mid-March to around the end of April. Limits are six tons per single axle and ten tons per tandem axle.

    For more information, visit the Seasonal Weight Restrictions page.
  • State Statute 346.41 (3) is in reference to "Blue Driveway Delineators".
    This law prohibits the display of red or amber (yellow) reflectors within right-of-way at or near private roads or driveways, but permits the use of blue reflectors for such purposes. The color of blue reflectors acceptable for use on all highway right-of-way may be described as a clear blue having no greenish or purplish appearance in the daytime or when reflecting white light from automobile headlights at night. The shade should be not so bright as to appear white at night. The use of more than two sets of delineators on the highway right-of-way to mark an entrance to a private road or driveway does not appear necessary and will not be permitted. By two sets, we mean two reflectors that would be visible to traffic from each direction; presumably one on either side of the private driveway. Ideally, these reflectors should be set approximately at the ditch line well beyond the shoulder line.
  • The Wood County Highway Department occasionally sells surplus items on the Wisconsin Surplus auction site.
    See what's currently for sale at www.wisconsinsurplus.com.
  • It is unlawful to follow a snowplow closer than 200 feet.
    It's illegal (State Statute 346.915) to follow a snowplow closer than 200 feet upon any highway having the posted speed limit of more than 35 mph if the snowplow is engaged in snow and ice removal. The majority of crashes involving snowplows and vehicles happen when a snowplow is rear ended or hit while being passed. Snowplows have wing plow blades that can extend anywhere between 2 and 10 feet beyond the width of the truck. This wing plow blade is often not seen because of the snow cloud being kicked up by the snowplow. These wing plows can often weigh as much as a compact car.
  • It is unlawful to push snow or other materials onto or across roadways.
    It can cause accidents and/or death and is strictly prohibited under Wisconsin Statues 86.01 and/or 346.94(5). Anyone who does not comply will be held responsible for all penalties and liabilities.

Highway Department Program Description

The Highway Department fulfills its responsibilities to maintain the safety and convenience of the county and state trunk highway systems by performing both general and winter maintenance. General maintenance includes the following: patching, crack filling and sealcoating of pavement, shoulder maintenance, and vegetation control, bridge and culvert maintenance, litter and trash pickup, guardrail installation and repair, signing, pavement marking and traffic control. Winter maintenance includes installation and removal of snow fence, application of sand and salt, plowing and shoveling snow off bridges.

Additionally, the department also provides road construction along with pavement resurfacing (blacktopping), bridge and culvert installation. To effectively accomplish these activities, the department maintains two (2) storage and maintenance facilities at various locations. The main shop is in Wisconsin Rapids with an outlying shops in Marshfield.

See Also - State of Wisconsin

  • WisDOT Website
    www.dot.wisconsin.gov
  • State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation Regional Office
    1681 Second Avenue South
    Wisconsin Rapids WI 54495
    Phone: (715) 421-8301
  • Department of Motor Vehicle Licensing
    1681 Second Avenue South
    Wisconsin Rapids WI 54495
    Phone: (608) 264-7447