Rendering of the underpass option for Red Maple Road to cross railroad tracks in De Pere as part of the southern Brown County bridge over the Fox River. (Image courtesy Brown County Planning & Land Services)
DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The 2025-27 Wisconsin state budget will include $30 million for a new railroad bridge in West De Pere.
It is part of the larger $180 million Southern Bridge Corridor project.
Area lawmakers from both sides of the aisle say securing money for the new railroad bridge will save local taxpayers from footing the bill.
De Pere Mayor James Boyd says separating vehicle traffic from trains is a big deal.
“A new railroad bridge at Red Maple Road between American Boulevard and Lost Dauphin Road in Brown County will help keep traffic moving safely and efficiently, prevent backups caused by frequent train crossings and keep this corridor open for businesses and residents alike,” said Boyd.
“Separating those cars from those trains is going to have a big impact on public safety, as well as the convenience of the drivers and the speed at which they’re going to be able to cross on the bridge,” said State Sen. Jamie Wall, D-Green Bay.
An estimated 25,000 vehicles are expected to travel the new vehicle bridge over the Fox River each day.
“That really opens up some of the backlog that you see going through downtown De Pere right now on the one way across the bridge,” said State Rep. Ben Franklin, R-De Pere.
The entire Southern Bridge corridor project is expected to be done by 2030.
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