All traffic using the Winona bridges across the Mississippi River will be shifted to the new Highway 43 bridge on Sept. 19 to begin the process of rehabilitating the adjacent historic bridge. Traffic will travel in single lanes in both directions on the new bridge (Bridge 85851). The historic bridge (Bridge 5900) will close to traffic on Sept. 19, weather permitting.
This traffic pattern will be used during the next three years while Bridge 5900 is rehabilitated and reconstructed.
For four weeks, Winona Street between Fourth and Fifth streets will be closed to through traffic. Inbound traffic to Winona on new Bridge 85851 will only be able to make a right turn as it exits the bridge. Outbound traffic will only be able to access new Bridge 85851 by making a left turn from Fourth Street. This short-term traffic phase will allow Ames Construction to complete the new intersection at the base of the bridges in Winona. A traffic signal is being placed at this intersection during this phase (see the traffic phase 2 detour map to the left).
Bike trail closures
The bicycle trail on the levee under the Winona bridge is
closed during construction until late 2019. Bicyclists should detour from Johnson Street to Second Street to Riverview Drive.
View/print bike detour map (PDF). The section of the bike trail from Riverview Drive to the bridge, which will be used as construction
access, will be rebuilt as part of the project and re-opened following construction. View/print project overview map (PDF).
Weight restrictions
The Hwy 43 Winona bridge has a gross weight limit of 80,000 pounds until further notice.
The Winona Bridge carries an average of
11,300 vehicles per day
MnDOT is moving ahead with a two-bridge solution that rehabilitates the existing bridge and builds a new permanent bridge immediately upstream of the existing bridge. We've gotten some questions about why the existing Cass Street Bridges in La Crosse include a tied arch structure next to a through truss as well as why the plans for the new Red Wing Bridge include a tied arch bridge alternate, while the new Winona Bridge is planned to be built using a concrete box girder design along with rehabilitation of the existing bridge. The answer is: due to several factors, a tied arch design was considered as an option for the new Winona Bridge project but the concept did not ultimately become the recommended new bridge type. Learn more.
$150 million to $175 million (total planning-level cost estimate; cost range includes right-of-way, design and construction contract administration and reflects a number of unknowns and assumptions)
Milestones
July 2014: Start of construction. Contractor starts building temporary access facilities on both sides of the river.
Aug. 2014: Start of permanent construction of new bridge river piers with a goal of getting the critical elements of the piers raised above the water before spring flooding in 2015.
January 1, 2015: MnDOT possession of Right-of-Way. Start of demolition of buildings that are being acquired.
March 2015: Proceed with roadway work on both sides of the river, including in Winona, and with the remainder of the work to construct the new bridge.
Fall 2016: Completion and opening of new bridge. Close old bridge and begin rehab and reconstruction work.
Fall 2019 / Spring 2020: Overall completion. Traffic open on both bridges.
