The WIS 116 bridge in Winneconne, Wis., has garnered American Transportation Awards recognition for its quality of life and community development.
Last year, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) reconstructed the bridge to current design and safety standards, providing safer accommodations for fishing, snowmobiling, and river traffic.
“In addition to an improvement to the region’s transportation system, the new Winneconne bridge represents a unique investment in the community,” WisDOT Secretary-designee Craig Thompson said regarding the $11.4 million project. “I applaud the WisDOT staff for their vision and commitment to local partnerships. It was a challenging, imaginative project that was well executed. We congratulate everyone involved.”
The project is slated to compete with other regional winners for national awards to be announced later this month. The top two prizes carry a $10,000 cash award to support a transportation-related scholarship.
The new bridge scope of work included a higher fixed deck allowing river traffic to pass without raising or lowering the bridge; six-foot shoulders; a six-foot sidewalk on the north side; and a 10-foot sidewalk on the southside accommodating snowmobiles in the winter when conditions allow.
“It is an honor to have one of WisDOT’s projects recognized by America’s Transportation Awards,” WisDOT Northeast Region Director Colleen Harris said. “We are grateful to everyone in Winneconne for their collaboration during the design process and patience during construction. The result is a very special bridge that maintains the community’s tradition of fishing and using the Wolf River.”