Ashland Avenue Bridge. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Ashland Avenue bridge is slated to be redone.
Not until 2031, but the Wisconsin Department of Transportation began hearing from area citizens Wednesday on what to do with the bridge.
“It’s connecting Ashwaubenon and Green Bay,” said Wisconsin DOT Northeast Region Planning Project Manager Kelsey Holmes, stressing it’s importance. “It’s connecting Lambeau and downtown Green Bay — the city is doing a lot of development.”
The railroad tracks were removed when the site was abandoned in 2013. As for the bridge, it’s nearing the end of its life, having been built 70 years ago.
“Either way, it needs something new,” said Holmes. “In the long run, cost-wise, a roadway would have less maintenance compared to a structure.”
The roadway would eliminate the bridge and create a road at grade, meaning back to ground level. The main wrinkle: Canadian National still owns the land under the bridge.
And while the rail lines were removed more than a decade ago, the two sides would still need to come to an agreement.
“We will be reaching out to them after we’ve gathered as much public input here as we can,” said Holmes, speaking on the 33-acre site. “[We will be] working with them to see what is a possibility.”
“We would love to see the Canadian National property developed,” said David Buck, a city planner for the city of Green Bay, who said he attended the meeting more concerned as a resident than city employee. “It is privately owned right now, so we do not have any control over what would go there.”
It could have an impact on local businesses.
“I think bringing the bridge down to grade is something that people want to see,” said Shipyard District, Inc. Director Tarl Knight, “In order to see a better sense of community and connect more neighbors to one another.”
The neighbors made one thing clear: they hope changes are made to the vacant area.
To offer your feedback to the DOT, email Holmes at kelsey.holmes@dot.wi.gov or Mark Kantola at mark.kantola@dot.wi.gov.
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