Contact: Rep. Todd Novak, (608) 266-7502

Branch Bear Creek and Pecatonica River Bridges set to receive renovations

MADISON – The Joint Committee on Finance has approved an additional 70 bridges to be rehabilitated or reconstructed as part of the Local Bridge Program. Two of the bridges are located in the 51st Assembly District: the Pecatonica River Bridge, at State Highway 11 and County Highway N in Lafayette County, and the Branch Bear Creek Bridge at State Highway 130 and County Highway BB in Richland County.

“Southwest Wisconsin has been in desperate need of additional funds for infrastructure improvements,” said Novak. “I am optimistic that these projects will be just the beginning of continued investment in our roads and bridges.”

These additional projects come as a result of the largest Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant in state history. Wisconsin received $227.4 million in new federal funding in FY2018, $38.6 million of which is planned to fund these additional local bridge projects. Under the Program, 80% of the reconstruction costs are covered by the state amounting to $1.6 million of state aid between the two projects.

“The tourism and agricultural sectors that support Southwest Wisconsin rely on safe and reliable highways,” said Novak. “Continued improvements, like these projects, are essential for families, businesses and our economy.”

These projects in Lafayette and Richland County are joined by three projects previously announced as part of the Local Bridge Program expansion in the 2018-19 budget and prior to receipt of the federal grant money: Jorden Creek Bridge at County Highway M and State Highway 81 in Green County, Otter Creek Bridge at County Highway Q and County Highway I in Iowa County, and Little Willow Creek Bridge on McAvoy Hill Rd in the Town of Ithaca.

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