Governor Doyle also asks for review of safety data on all state bridges
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced today it is
taking steps to inspect 16 deck truss bridges in the state that are similar
in design to the I-35 West bridge in Minnesota that collapsed on Wednesday.
“Right now, there is nothing to indicate the deck truss design played any
role in the Minnesota tragedy,” said WisDOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi. “But
because public safety remains our top priority, we are proceeding with the
inspections as a precautionary measure. Also, Governor Jim Doyle has asked
the department to review safety data for all of the 13,654 bridges in the
state.”
The 16 deck truss bridges in Wisconsin will be inspected starting next week,
said Beth Cannestra, Director of WisDOT’s Bureau of Structures. On a deck
truss bridge, the superstructure typically consists of two parallel trusses
which are the main load-carrying members of the bridge and the roadway is
placed on top of the main members. WisDOT no longer builds deck truss
bridges on the state system as they have been replaced with more modern
designs.
All of the state’s 13,654 bridges are inspected every two years. The state
follows federal standards and guidelines for bridge inspections. A list of
the 16 deck truss bridges is attached.
Deck truss bridges in Wisconsin
County Highway Bridge passes over Built Last inspected
Brown WIS 32/Main Street Fox River 1932 4/15/2007
Burnett WIS 35 St. Croix River 1936 6/27/2006
Crawford WIS 82 Winneshiek Slough 1956 6/25/2007
Crawford WIS 82 Mississippi River 1931 8/9/2006
Dunn I-94 westbound Red Cedar River 1957 8/24/2006
Dunn I-94 eastbound Red Cedar River 1957 8/24/2006
Dunn County BB Tainter Lake 1935 1/4/2007
Eau Claire WIS 27 Eau Claire River 1935 7/9/2007
Juneau WIS 82 Wisconsin River 1954 6/28/2007
La Crosse WIS 16 eastbound La Crosse River 1937 7/19/2006
La Crosse US 14/US 61/WIS 16 Mississippi River 1940
7/11/2006
Monroe WIS 16/WIS 71/Wisc. Ave. Soo Line Railroad 1939
9/28/2006
Polk WIS 243 St. Croix River 1953 5/17/2007
Rock US 51 Rock River 1938 9/21/2006
St. Croix Main St. in Somerset Apple River 1932 8/21/2006
Trempealeau US 53/Main St. Beaver Creek 1925 1/4/2007
