Ephraim Reconstruction Plans Will Take Shape in January

Resurfacing plans and timelines for Highway 42 through Ephraim should be more clear in the coming weeks. Administrator Brent Bristol expects a bid will be awarded in January for the village’s reconstruction project between Ephraim Beach and the Ephraim Fire Museum.

Once that contract is awarded the village will get more details on any hard closures, timelines and detours for the work in the center of the village.

Though most of the Highway 42 resurfacing project from Fish Creek to Sister Bay is being done by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Ephraim will coordinate a separate $4.85 million reconstruction project to bury power lines, replace streetlights and improve stormwater management.

The DOT has provisions in its timeline that mandate all paving between Brookside Lane and Anderson Lane, except for the village portion of the project, be completed by Memorial Day weekend.

Like Fish Creek, Ephraim will experience hard closures between March 24 and May 1, but unlike Fish Creek, Ephraim has good options for access to its business center or to get around construction via back roads.

No hard closures will take place from May 24 through June 28. In that period there will be flagging on Highway 42 on weekdays only. Bristol said the village will work with the DOT and Ephraim Business Council to create special construction signage.

“Additionally we will be reaching out to the Town of Gibraltar on mutually beneficial signing concepts,” Bristol said.