ICYMI: Senator Baldwin Breaks Ground on Bridges Crossing Wisconsin River

COLUMBIA COUNTY, WI – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin was joined by Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson, Kraemer North America Wisconsin Area Manager Dave Stanke, and local stakeholders to break ground on the project to replace the bridges crossing the Wisconsin River in Columbia County. Senator Baldwin secured $80 million for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to replace the Wisconsin River bridges in Columbia County.

“These bridges in Columbia County are a vital artery for businesses, families, and tourists. But, after more than six decades of wear and tear, they need to be replaced to keep families safe and our economy up and running,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “That’s why I was proud to vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and bring the resources Wisconsin needs to update our aging infrastructure and invest in our future. This project – and ones just like it across our state – will not only keep our roads safe and ensure billions of dollars worth of products get to market efficiently, but it will also create good-paying jobs and put Wisconsin to work.”

“We are honored to join Senator Baldwin and break ground for the I-39/90/94 Wisconsin River bridges project," said WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson. "This section of interstate is a major tourism and freight route with traffic bound for destinations throughout the state. The Wisconsin River Bridge is one example of a structure that was overdue for repair, but thanks to federal investments, we are ready to replace this bridge and provide the needed safety and reliability for all our interstate users.”

The I-39/90/94 bridges over the Wisconsin River have been in use for over 60 years and are a vital connection carrying nearly 60,000 vehicles per day and transporting over $100 billion in goods annually. After years of heavy usage, the bridges have suffered from significant structural deterioration, leading to capacity, mobility, and safety concerns. The federal funding, combined with state dollars, will remove and replace the deteriorating original structures with two new bridges.

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