Marinette, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Northeast Region reminds motorists work begins today to improve 11.7 miles of roadway on U.S. 141 and U.S. 8 in Marinette County.

Construction is expected to finish in October of this year. Both U.S. 141 and U.S. 8 will remain open during construction.

Work takes place on U.S. 141 from County Road R to Betters Court in the towns of Pembine and Niagara. Work on U.S. 8 takes place from the U.S. 141 split to the Michigan state line in the town of Niagara. Highways will remain open during construction using flagging operations with lane and shoulder closures.

Construction includes milling and resurfacing the existing asphalt of U.S. 141 and U.S. 8 in the project limits, placing an asphaltic underseal on the milled surface to help prevent winter tenting on pavement, widening the existing paved shoulders, guardrail improvements, culvert rehabilitation, centerline and shoulder rumble strips, and pavement marking.

The project will address deformations and cracking in the pavement surface which will reduce surface roughness and provide a smoother driving surface for motorists.

Application of a special underseal will help mitigate uneven pavement caused by winter tenting. Resurfacing will also increase the roadway usable lifespan. Culvert replacement will assist in the proper drainage of water. Wider shoulders, new rumble strips, and new guardrail will improve driver safety.