Crews are working to widen a 3.5-mile segment of State Road 77, between Rogers Road and Cane Mill Road in Wausau. Construction activities during the month of January included pile driving and removing embankment
In the accompanying photo, construction crews are shown driving steel piles near the northern end of the project. The piles are driven into the soil to support a bridge that will cross over Reedy Creek. Each of the pipe piles measure 24-inches in diameter and are approximately 200-feet-long. A total of 16 piles will be driven at this location.
In addition, there will be another bridge constructed using concrete piles near Finch Circle. At this location, there will be 12 piles.
Driving piles requires use of a construction crane to lift the heavy structures into a template. Once in place, an air hammer is used to drive the piles into the earth.
Upon completion of the project, the segment of S.R. 77 through the Town of Wausau will feature four continuous travel lanes.
It will also complete the four-laning of this vital north-south route from the U.S. (Business) Highway 98 intersection in Panama City to north of I-10 in Chipley, a total of approximately 45 miles. The work is currently estimated for completion in mid-2027.
A reminder that the speed limit on S.R. 77 is reduced to 45 mph to accommodate construction activities. Please be alert for construction workers, vehicles, and equipment.
