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

• Project Letting – Oct. 19, 2012

• Construction –Late 2012/early 2013 through 2016

  
  
  

Cost

• $175-$225 million

History

The existing bridge was completed in 1967; making an important regional connection between Winona, Minnesota and La Crosse, Wisconsin.  A decade later, the longest Interstate Highway (I-90) would be completed from coast to coast, providing important commercial and defense infrastructure for the entire nation.

 

The original opening of the interstate bridge was recognized with an Official Dedication Program featuring local bands, dance teams, and each State’s dairy princess and governor.

 

The bridge is a 2,497-foot steel girder bridge carrying four lanes of traffic with narrow shoulders. It is in need of replacement due to both the narrow shoulders and its structural age.

 

New Bridge

The new crossing will consist of two separate bridges parallel and upstream from the existing bridge.  They will be concrete box girder structures over the main river channel and precast concrete girders over the back channel.

Details of the new river bridges:

 

• 100 year design life
• Length: 2593-feet
• Width: approximately 45 - 66-feet
• Two – 12-foot lanes each direction
• Eastbound acceleration lane
• 12-foot outside shoulders
• Six-foot inside shoulders