GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – City and state leaders are at the start of the process which could result in the removal of the Ashland Avenue overpass and open 30 acres for development – although any decisions and construction are years away.
Located just south of Mason Street, the Ashland Avenue bridge arches across a former rail yard, owned by Canadian National Railroad.
All of the tracks were removed in 2013, leaving a wide swath of open land, which Green Bay leaders have targeted for redevelopment. Removing the viaduct with an at-grade road has been mentioned as one element of a redevelopment plan, as far back as 2017. City leaders have also acknowledged there may be environmental concerns with the property.
The state has identified the bridge, built in 1955, as ready for replacement. The city is being asked to contribute 25% of the cost ($262,500) of the study of what to do next.
“This project will include a planning study and the design (and ultimately the construction) of a bridge replacement improvement project. The project details will be further defined as this project continues through the planning, scoping and design process,” states the agenda summary.
Although labeled as a “bridge replacement improvement project,” that does not necessarily mean a bridge will be selected option.
“The bridge is approaching the end of its normal life cycle. Now is the appropriate time to see what that corridor will look like for the next 20-to-30 years,” said Green Bay Public Works Director Steve Grenier.
The study itself could take a couple of years, then additional review which will include public input – and then construction sometime after that.
The city’s Improvement & Services Committee meets at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
