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Dunn County plans application for Cedar Falls bridge replacement after state lists it for bridge program
Summary
The county will prepare an application to the Wisconsin DOT bridge replacement program for the Cedar Falls Bridge, which staff said was built in 1936 and is considered obsolete; the project would likely fall late in the 2026–2031 program and could require multi-million-dollar local matches.
Dunn County highway staff told the county highway committee that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation placed the Cedar Falls Bridge on the list of bridges that may qualify for replacement or rehabilitation under the DOT's 2026–2031 bridge program. Staff said they will prepare and submit an application before the program deadline. Highway engineering staff described the Cedar Falls Bridge as an older structure built in 1936 and called it an "obsolete" design that uses gusset plates as a controlling element. Staff emphasized the listing does not guarantee funding; the county must submit an application and the state will select projects based on available funding. Staff said the DOT program operates as an 80/20 funding split for many projects and noted the program has caps; any costs above the state cap would be the county's responsibility. Because of the bridge's complexity, county staff said they will solicit a consultant to prepare the application and, if the project is approved, to perform the design work. Staff could not estimate a final construction cost at the committee meeting; they said estimates will range widely depending on the design and unknowns and that a replacement could be roughly in the low millions or higher. Staff said they expected the project would likely be scheduled near the end of the 2026'031 program window, perhaps 2030''131, but cautioned that timeline and funding are not guaranteed. Committee members asked whether a new bridge would be wider or include a bike trail; staff said DOT design standards control width and the county would be responsible for any additional amenities such as a multiuse trail. Staff also provided an update on the county's High Bridge: it remains posted at 20 tons and will receive an annual inspection using a state-provided snooper truck; the state agreed to allow the inspection vehicle on the bridge but the road will be closed to traffic during the inspection. The committee directed staff to prepare the DOT application and, if needed, to solicit consultant proposals to complete the application and later design work.
