Little Black Bridge Construction Starts August 3rd  Tue, July 28, 2026

ROAD CLOSURE - STH 13 - August 3, 2026 - Early October 2026
 

The Little Black River Bridge on STH 13 south of Medford will be completely closed to traffic, and there will be NO access through the project area, beginning Monday, August 3rd.   The estimated duration of the closure is 40 working days with the bridge expected to reopen in early October. 

Gov. Tony Evers approved the $893,000 contract to rehabilitate the WIS 13 bridge over the Little Black River south of Medford.

The project, awarded to Janke General Contractors, Inc. of Athens. 

The bridge was built in 1968 and is in need of maintenance.

The Wisconsin DOT project will include:

Replacing the bridge deck

Making repairs to concrete bridge girders, bridge abutments, and the center pier

Adding concrete approach slabs

Completing approach work

Upgrading guardrail

Completing shoulder work

Adding pavement markings

During construction, Hwy 13 will be closed in this area. Traffic will be detoured via Hwy 29, Hwy 97, and Hwy 64. Access to properties in the work zone will be maintained.

Motorists should plan ahead and follow the posted detour route.

 

Local Man Dies in Motorcycle Accident   Wednesday, July 22, 2026

On Monday, July 20, 2026, at approximately 10:00 AM, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a request for a welfare check on a male individual that had not shown up for work. Based on cell phone location data, the caller reported that the last known location of the male individual was on County Road M east of Perkinstown.

Shortly after, Dispatch received another call from a passerby that reported a motorcycle and an unresponsive male subject were located in the ditch near the 9600 block of County Road M in the Town of Hammel. Taylor County Deputies, along with Taylor County EMS personnel, were dispatched.

Upon arrival, it was apparent that the male individual was deceased. The male was identified as 56-year-old Scott R. Williams of Medford.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Scott was travelling eastbound on County Road M when the motorcycle he was operating left the roadway, entered the ditch, and Scott was ejected. Scott was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and there were no passengers on the motorcycle.

This incident remains under investigation. No further details will be released at this time.

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Scott.