The bridge was fully opened to pedestrians and bicyclists on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008.
Only background information is contained on this page.
For current information on the bridge, go to the Hwy 43 Winona Bridge Replacement project Web site.
Background
- Bridge number 5900
- Owned by the state of Minnesota; connects with Wisconsin Highway 54
- Built in 1941 and remodeled in 1985
- Average daily traffic volume: 11,600 vehicles
- Crosses over the Mississippi River, railroad tracks and city streets
Design
- Structure type is through truss combined with deck trusses (both fracture critical) in addition to several beam spans
- 2,289 feet long with a main span of 450 feet
- 34.4 feet wide
- Carries two lanes of traffic (one in each direction)
Timeline
June 3: Closed to all traffic
June 4: Sidewalk closed
June 14: Bride reopens for car traffic (closed for 10 days)
July 10: Repairs begin
July 21: Bridge reopens for truck traffic (closed to truck traffic for 47 days)
Aug. 25: Sidewalk repairs begin
Oct. 2. Sidewalk reopens (closed for 120 days)
Quick Links
Inspection Reports
- Inspection Reports 1992-2007 (pdf 386 kb)
- Structural Inventory Report (pdf 76 kb)
News Releases
- Sidewalk on Hwy 43 bridge in Winona to open Oct. 3 (Oct. 1, 2008)
- Sidewalk repairs begin Aug. 25 (Aug. 22, 2008)
- Hwy 43 bridge in Winona opens to truck traffic this evening (July 21, 2008)
- Hwy 43 bridge repairs in Winona begin July 11 (July 11, 2008)
- Expect delays on Winona bridge beginning Thursday, June 19 (June 18, 2008)
- Highway 43 bridge in Winona to open to car traffic June 14 (June 12, 2008)
- Transit options begin Monday for Winona Hwy 43 bridge closure (June 6, 2008)
- Emergency responders will be allowed to cross Winona Bridge (June 5, 2008)
- New commuter choices soon to be available as result of Winona Bridge closure (June 4, 2008)
- Mn/DOT closes Minn. Hwy 43 (Winona)/Wis. Hwy 54 bridge over the Mississippi River (June 3, 2008)
Minnesota Hwy 43 (Winona)/Wisconsin Hwy 54 Bridge over the Mississippi River
The bridge is currently open to all vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. Mn/DOT had previously ordered the closure of the bridge on June 3, 2008, due to gusset plate corrosion issues.
Traffic impacts
- Sidewalk repairs have been completed, all lane restrictions removed.
Check 511mn.org for additional traffic updates.
Funding
- Current total project cost estimate is $175-$250 Million (2008 dollars). This includes all project costs including engineering, right of way and construction. The cost range reflects the unknowns in the project due to the preliminary engineering and environmental processes have not yet started. Unknown variables include new bridge type and size, approach work impacts, right of way, and environmental. This estimate reflects a preliminary scoping level estimate. There has not been a determination made on the schedule for replacement.
- This bridge was originally scheduled to be replaced in 2017, but Mn/DOT has been working on a plan to accelerate its replacement with the new funding provided in the state transportation funding bill that passed during the legislative session. It's also not yet known how the bridge repair analysis will impact the replacement schedule.
- The bridge is eligible for all sources of Mn/DOT construction funds, including trunk highway bonds, federal highway funds and state funds.
To request additional data contact data.practices@dot.state.mn.us