The current French Road overpass in Appleton. July 14, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The French Road overpass in Appleton has no sidewalks, and only enough room for two cars to cross I-41.
Since the bridge has to be rebuilt as part of the I-41 expansion project, the city is looking to make some upgrades.
“The intent would be that, since this is being reconstructed, let’s optimize that chance and move forward with including pedestrian and bicycle accommodations on that road,” said Public Works Director Laura Jungwirth.
That optimization includes the addition of sidewalks and bike lanes along the overpass, making it safer for pedestrians to cross the highway.
The overhaul was spurred in part by the city’s new comprehensive trail plan, which is set to take effect next year. The plan includes filling in trail gaps and making bike and pedestrian walkways safer.
“Adding those bicycle and pedestrian facilities on French Road will help promote connectivity to JJ, to the south, and then hopefully in the future, we will be extending those facilities into the subdivisions of those areas, the county roads will start to include them,” Jungwirth said. “So we’re really trying to make this as multi-modal friendly as possible.”
Since the bridge reconstruction is required by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the state will be covering over $10 million — with Appleton paying a little over $160,000 for the addition of the sidewalks and bike lanes.
“The city’s portion, or contributions, are items that are attributed to features that the city has chosen to add, which would be the sidewalk facilities, lighting, traffic improvements,” said Jungwirth.
The project is set to start in spring and wrap up next fall, according to the DOT.
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