BREAKING: Kemp Street Bridge to be closed from Feb. 23-27

Attention motorists, the Kemp Street Bridge will not be available next week. The City of Rhinelander announced this afternoon that, in preparation for the bridge replacement project in 2028, ECS Midwest, LLC will be performing soil borings in the area around and near the bridge beginning Monday, Feb. 23 at 8:30 a.m. This work will require the closure of the bridge to all traffic, with an expected project timeframe of Monday, February 23, 2026 to Friday, February 27, 2026, city officials said in a press release issued shortly after 2 p.m. on Feb. 19
"The duration of this closure will be dependent upon any unknown obstacles that may be encountered during drilling, with the expectation that the bridge will be reopened on Friday, February 27 at 5:00 p.m. to all traffic. Updates will be provided on the City's website (www.rhinelanderwi.us) throughout this closure."
Local traffic alternative routes include Boyce Drive from East Kemp St to the US HWY 8 bypass
and on Sutliff Avenue from West Davenport Street to West Kemp Street. Semi-trucks may use the designated truck route on River Street.
For more information,  contact the Director of Public Works, Tom Roeser, at (715) 365-8624.