Overview
The I-90 Bridge spans the Mississippi River between Dresbach, Minnesota and La Crosse, Wisconsin. Built in 1967, it is a 2,490-foot-long, 4-lane bridge.
The existing, fracture-critical bridge has narrow shoulders that cause lane closures when vehicles are stranded or during routine maintenance operations. Current interchange geometry creates difficult and unsafe traffic movements for commuter traffic.
Location
- Minnesota / Wisconsin Line
Schedule
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Project Letting – Oct. 19, 2012
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Construction –Late 2012/early 2013 through 2016
Cost
- $175-$225 million
Traveler Information
Traffic will be controlled throughout the project by multiple lane shifts and ramp closures. Keep up to date with current traffic impacts by checking the project website.
Access to the Traveler Information Center, DNR Boat Launch, Fish and Wildlife Service Boat Launch and Lock and Dam will be affected during different stages of the project. Information on access restrictions will be posted here.
Construction Staging Requirements
Trucking Industry Outreach
Mississippi River Bicycle Trail Impacts
Trail Impacts During Construction
Project Updates
Construction activities begin on I-90 Dresbach Bridge project Jan. 21
The project was let on Oct. 19, 2012
Project Purpose
The primary purpose of the project is to provide a new structurally sound I-90 river crossing bridge that meets current structural and geometric standards on an important regional river crossing, and to provide a reconstructed interchange that improves traffic safety, capacity and access on and between Highway 61/14 and I-90. The project intends to address the following issues:
• Bridge Structural Deficiencies – has no structural back-up; portions are beyond useful life; fatigue cracking has occurred
• Narrow Bridge Shoulders – do not meet state/federal standards; no emergency vehicle bypassing or stalled vehicle storage
• Roadway Operational Problems – morning preference for I-90 eastbound from Highway 61 northbound; afternoon queues westbound I-90 to southbound Highway 61
• Roadway Capacity Needs – queues back up on bridge impacting capacity
• Traffic Safety Concerns – I-90 curve has higher crash rate; northbound Highway 61 to eastbound I-90 has pattern of crashes
• Riverfront Access – No access to riverfront from southbound Highway 61; no access to riverfront from eastbound I-90
• I-90 as Regional River Crossing – nearest crossings are five miles south and 24 miles north
In addition to the highway issues being addressed, the project faces many competing interests of varying sensitivity, including lock and dam access, Traveler Information Center/Rest Area access, river user access, US Fish and Wildlife Refuge, environmentally sensitive bluffs, railroad corridor, proximity to the airport and river navigation channel, and the Mississippi River Bicycle Trail.