The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will fix faults in the Bart Starr Memorial Bridge, commonly called the Walnut Street bridge, that the department says have made the downtown Green Bay thruway degraded, though not unsafe.
An online meeting will be held May 13 to go over the proposed project and schedule.
What is wrong with the Walnut Street bridge?
Some version of the Walnut Street bridge has joined East and West Walnut streets since 1862, making it Green Bay’s oldest connection across the Fox River. The current structure opened in 1986.
Much of its machinery and electric parts “have exhausted their useful service life,” according to the WisDOT’s website. The department described spalled concrete exposing corroded rebar, chipped paint, a need to replace the open-grid steel floor that needs constant fixing, an inoperable generator in the bridge’s control tower, and wear-and-tear in the bridge’s leaves that open to boats.
These degradations were observed during routine inspections, according to the department, which started on initial designs for repairs in 2024.
What fixes are needed?
The department listed 22 repair and replacement items.
Among the jobs to be done: The sidewalks and open steel on the bridge’s leaves will be replaced. The department will find an “uninterruptible power supply” and replace technology in the control center. A sealant to keep out water will be applied. The bridge’s leaves will be realigned.
Total costs were estimated at about $8.49 million, according to a Brown County spreadsheet of road projects. Most of the money, about 80%, would come through the National Highway Performance Program, with the remainder funded by the state, according to the spreadsheet. Walnut Street is also State 29 and falls under state jurisdiction.
When will WisDOT begin its repairs?
Repairs are scheduled from fall 2028 to spring 2029, according to WisDOT.
There was no need for immediate repairs “as the observed conditions do not affect the bridge’s integrity or safety,” a news release said.
During the repairs, the department expects traffic to be affected for months. The department said on its website that it tentatively expected to close the bridge to vehicles for eight months, from September 2028 to April 2029, and to boats for four months, from December 2028 to March 2029.
Can I give my opinion?
WisDOT will host an online-only public input meeting through Microsoft Teams at 5 p.m. May 13. A link to the meeting is available on the department’s project webpage – https://projects.hub.wisconsindot.gov/pages/41800800.
A call-in option will also be available by calling 608-571-2209 and entering the conference ID: 402 448 644#
Jesse Lin is a reporter covering the community of Green Bay and its surroundings, as well as politics in northeastern Wisconsin. He also writes a weekly column answering reader questions about Green Bay. Contact and send him questions at 920-834-4250 or jlin@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: WisDOT to fix deteriorated Walnut Street bridge in downtown Green Bay
Reporting by Jesse Lin, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
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