The U.S. Highway 45 and Main Street bridge in Oshkosh will be closed until the spring of 2026 after construction to prevent further deterioration of the structure began Sept. 2.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Project Manager Bill Bertrand said on the project’s website that the bridge is still safe for pedestrians and vehicles to cross, but that the construction is meant to extend the roadway’s life.
“The purpose of the project is to preserve the operation of the structural, mechanical and electrical components of the U.S. 45 Main Street Bridge,” Bertrand said. “The existing structure and its mechanical and electrical elements have received various repairs and maintenance over its lifespan, but the structure has become deficient due to varying levels of deterioration. Many of the elements are deteriorated or have exhausted their useful service life. These include structural, mechanical, hydraulic and electrical components.”
The construction will look to specifically make improvements to the concrete decks on the bridge, replace the steel and update the hydraulics on the moveable parts of the structure and make minor repairs on the operator’s house. According to WisDOT, the changes will decrease maintenance costs and improve the operation of the movable parts of the bridge.
The bridge will be closed to all traffic until April of 2026, but the roadway near the structure will be open to access local businesses, such as the Oshkosh Convention Center and the Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront Hotel. Traffic will instead be directed to 9th Avenue, Oregon Street and Jackson Street, while pedestrians will be detoured to sidewalks along 6th Avenue, Oregon Street and Jackson Street.
According to Bertrand, the lifts on the bridge will still operate normally for all boats that require an opening until Oct. 14.
“[After that], lift spans will remain closed and masted vessels will not be allowed to pass under the bridge [until April 15, 2026],” Bertrand said. “Smaller un-masted vessels that don’t require a bridge opening will be able to pass under the bridge at any time, just not under the lift/movable spans.”
Bertrand also said that all businesses in the work zones that would like temporary signing on Main Street and U.S. 45 can do so by obtaining a free permit.
“All temporary business signing needs approval via the permit before placement to ensure it is in a safe location and do not pose a visual distraction or traffic hazard,” Bertrand said. “Costs associated with creating the temporary signing are the responsibility of the business.”
According to WisDOT, temporary business signings cannot be placed on traffic control devices or state signs, and the organization said it encourages businesses to team up and have multiple businesses listed on one sign structure instead of having multiple individual signs. This makes it easier for travelers to identify signs and find their destination.
If anyone has questions regarding the closure of the U.S. Highway 45 and Main Street bridge, they can contact Bertrand at 920-360-3124 or at .
