Dewey Street at the Eau Claire River

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The Dewey Street Bridge was built in 1931 with the super structure being replaced in 1979. It is one of three bridges in the area crossing the Eau Claire River.

Project Purpose

The City in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is planning for reconstruction of the structure, because it has reached the end of its useful life.

The project will address structural deficiencies of the existing bridge on Dewey Street at its crossing of the Eau Claire River.
This bridge is a crucial crossing for both vehicles and pedestrians accessing both sides of the Eau Claire River and the Chippewa River State Trail.

Proposed Improvements

The project proposes removal of the existing structure, construction of a new structure, reconstruction of roadway approaches, new asphaltic pavement, asphalt shoulders, sidewalk replacement, replacement of curb and gutter, and new Chippewa River State Trail access.

2026

2025

July 2025: Public Involvement Meeting

A Public Involvement Meeting with local officials is scheduled for Thursday, July 31, 2025, starting at 4:00 pm at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library. View the meeting notice below.

Public Involvement 7.31.25 Meeting Notice.pdf

View the Meeting Presentation.pdf

The public can provide feedback by 8.31.25 on the design process using the Public Involvement Meeting Comment Form.pdf.

June 2025: Public Involvement Meeting

A second meeting was held virtually with local officials about this project on Monday, June 23rd at 2:30pm. Public Involvement 6.23.25 Meeting Notice.pdf

January 2025: Public Involvement Meeting

A meeting was held for public involvement in order to gather feedback on the project and provide information as to why it's occurring. Public Involvement 1.29.25 Meeting Notice.pdf

View the Meeting HANDOUT.pdf | View the Meeting EXHIBITS.pdf

The public was asked to provide feedback by 2.14.25 on the design process using the
Public Involvement Meeting Comment Form.pdf

2024-2023

June 2024: Dewey Street Bridge Posted 10 Tons

As of 6/07/24, the City posted a truck route using Main Street to Farwell Street to Galloway Street for vehicle loads over 10 tons wanting to use the Dewey Street bridge. This posting will help to maintain passenger operations on the bridge until the structure can be reconstructed, which is anticipated to occur in 2027.

April 2023: Dewey Street Bridge Re-Opens with Restrictions

The Dewey Street Bridge re-opens to passenger vehicle traffic on 4/03/23 with the following restrictions:

Travel is restricted one lane in each direction.

Large truck traffic is detoured to Farwell Street.

Emergency vehicle access will use the structure to maintain response times but will return using Farwell Street.

March 2023: Bridge Closed for Structural Repairs

The City issued a press release on 3/24/23 indicating that the Dewey Street Bridge, located between Galloway Street and the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library would be temporarily closed to traffic and parking for structural inspection and temporary repair.

Media Coverage:

Dewey Street bridge closing after hole discovered - Andrew Dowd, The Leader-Telegram

Dewey Street bridge closed to traffic - WQOW TV-18

Resolution Approved at 2/28/23 City Council Meeting

The City Council considered a resolution on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, authorizing the Engineering Department to apply for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Grant monies to fund the bridge's replacement. The resolution passed, and the application paperwork was submitted.

2021-2019

Resolution Fails at 1/26/21 City Council Meeting

The City Council considered a resolution on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, recommending WisDOT approve the bid for the Dewey Street Bridge, Project ID 7995-02-47/48, committing the City of Eau Claire to the project, and reallocating funds to meet the City’s commitment. The resolution failed, and the City is continuing to look at alternatives for the Dewey Street project moving forward.

Project is Re-Bid: January 2021

The project was re-bid in January 2021, and the bids remained significantly higher than the estimate from 2016. Consistency of the 2019 & 2021 bids received indicated they were representative of realistic costs and were reflective of higher-than-anticipated inflation. A resolution to approve the bid was brought forth to City Council in January 2021.

Project Delayed to 2021

The project was bid in December 2019, but the bids were rejected due to significantly exceeding the project estimate from 2016. Plans and specifications for the project were revised to achieve cost savings; the project was delayed with anticipated construction to begin in 2021.

Public Involvement in April 2019

In 2016, WisDOT had approved financial assistance to the City of Eau Claire for the project; funds were scheduled for construction in 2020. A public involvement meeting was held in April 2019 to discuss the proposed improvements, which were anticipated to begin no earlier than 5/15/20 due to WDNR stream restrictions. Public Involvement Meeting Notice.pdf

Questions?

Chris Blum, Project Manager, at 608-620-6192
or email cblum@sehinc.com
Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc.

Leah Ness, Engineering Director - City Engineer, at 715-839-4934
or email leah.ness@eauclairewi.gov
City of Eau Claire

City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin