GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – It’s been more than a year since Green Bay leaders and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation began the process of looking into the future of the Ashland Avenue overpass on the city’s west side.
Transportation experts say options to either bring the roadway back down to ground level, or keep it as a bridge, remain on the table.
The Ashland Avenue overpass was built in 1955, and the DOT wants to begin reconstruction work in 2031.
“It’s reached the end of its useful life,” says Bryan Lipke, Wisconsin DOT planning project manager.
The DOT is planning to hold a public meeting in the fall. Roughly 30 acres of property underneath the overpass is owned by Canadian National Railroad, but has not been in use since at least 2013.
The city of Green Bay has been pushing to buy the property to redevelop it — but so far, to no avail.
“I think if long-term, the city can gain control of that site, it really opens up the playbook a lot for us. I think If the city has control of the site, by all means, like, bringing that bridge down makes the most sense. But we have to have really productive and fruitful conversations with the railroad to really understand what our options are,” said Brian Johnson, District 9 Alderperson.
Regardless, leaders say the overpass could still be brought back down to grade if that’s where planning eventually takes them.
Steven Grenier, director of public works, says the city owns the property directly underneath the overpass, while Canadian National owns property on either side of Ashland Avenue.
“The railroad almost operated almost like an easement, but we own the right of way,” said Grenier. “So there’s no property ownership issues that we’re concerned with at this point.”
Both the city and DOT are partnering on the project because Ashland Avenue is a state highway.
Green Bay’s city council approved a financing agreement between the city and DOT regarding the project. Grenier says the project could cost the city more than $500,000 associated with the investigative study and design.
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