HUDSON, WI (WTAQ) - Now that construction dates are set, Wisconsin officials will turn their attention to buying land on the shore of the St. Croix River where a new four-lane bridge is going.

The DOT in Madison plans to start negotiating as early as next month to buy six parcels north of Hudson.

In some cases, officials say the land has been in families for generations. DOT land acquisition supervisor Troy Stapelmann says the goal is to reach compromises – and the last resort would be to seize the properties by eminent domain without the owners’ consent.

Edward Kraemer and Sons of Sauk County will start putting in supports for the new bridge this summer.

The four-lane deck will start being built in mid-2014, and the bridge is scheduled to open in 2016.