Michigan Street Bridge study alternatives

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Michigan Street Bridge study

Alternatives

Environmental document

Michigan Street Bridge study alternatives

A wide range of project alternatives was evaluated with respect to how well each met the project purpose and addressed project need. They were also compared by their physical, fiscal and environmental characteristics. Alternatives evaluated included No Action, rehabilitation of the existing bridge, and a series of bridge replacement and bridge construction alternatives including dual bridge alternatives.

WisDOT considered the various alternatives' environmental impacts, local and agency comments, historical concerns, and financial constraints and selected the "Rehabilitation of the Existing Bridge" alternative (Alternative 2 from the project Environmental Assessment). This rehabilitation is intended to keep the bridge operational for another 25 years, estimated to cost $11.4 million and require an 8-month detour.

The city of Sturgeon Bay passed a resolution in January 2003 requesting a new bridge be built in the city of Sturgeon Bay in the Maple Street to Oregon Street corridor, and that Business route 42/57 be designated a connecting highway by WisDOT.

WisDOT offered the city alternatives which would provide for construction of a new bridge in addition to rehabilitation of the existing bridge.

Options A and B included the rehabilitation of the existing bridge plus allowed for the construction of a new 2-lane bridge in the existing bridge corridor on a south offset alignment. Options C and D included the rehabilitation of the existing bridge plus allowed for the construction of a new 2-lane bridge in the Maple/Oregon bridge corridor.

Breakdown of cost estimates by option (6 KB)

Option A: The city of Sturgeon Bay agrees to own and maintain the existing bridge and the new 2-lane bridge. WisDOT will pay for and construct the new south offset bridge, but transfer ownership of the new bridge upon its completion. The city agrees to keep the existing bridge operational by securing funding and completing a 25-year rehabilitation of the bridge. Estimated bridge closure time varies from one to eight months depending on the construction sequence.

Option B: WisDOT pays for rehabilitation of the existing bridge and continues with ownership and maintenance of the existing bridge. The city of Sturgeon Bay would secure funding for construction of the new south offset bridge and then assume ownership and maintenance of the new bridge. Estimated bridge closure time varies from one to eight months depending on the construction sequence.

Option C: The city of Sturgeon Bay agrees to own and maintain the existing bridge and the new 2-lane bridge. WisDOT will contribute $21.8 million, the cost of an "in kind" replacement bridge on the existing Michigan Street alignment, toward construction of the new Maple/Oregon bridge. The city agrees to keep the existing bridge operational by securing funding and completing a 25-year rehabilitation of the bridge. Estimated bridge closure time varies from zero to eight months depending on the construction sequence.

Option D: WisDOT pays for rehabilitation of the existing bridge and continues with ownership and maintenance of the existing bridge. The city of Sturgeon Bay would secure funding for construction of the new Maple/Oregon bridge and then assume ownership and maintenance of the new bridge. Estimated bridge closure time varies from zero to eight months depending on construction sequence.

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Photo of car entering Michigan Street Bridge.