Wisconsin Rapids: Grand Avenue bridge will be closed for 2 weeks

Nov 14, 2024

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Drivers in Wisconsin Rapids will need to make a slight detour for the next two weeks as the Grand Avenue bridge will be closed between North Third Avenue and South Third Street.

The detour will send both eastbound and westbound drivers roughly one block north to use the Jackson Street bridge to cross the Wisconsin River before returning to Grand Avenue.

The Grand Avenue closure is the result of a decorative bridge lighting project installation that has closed a single lane on the Jackson Street bridge since Sept. 24, according to Joe Eichsteadt, city engineer.

E-Con Electric Inc. of Wisconsin Rapids was contracted by the city to install decorative lighting on the north and south sides of both the Jackson Street and Grand Avenue bridges. The project is expected to be completed in November.

The city received two bids on the project to light the girders and piers of both bridges. Current Technologies Inc. was awarded the contract for their bid of $602,935, which was about $400,000 less than the competing bid. Current Technologies was acquired by E-Con Electric Inc. in June 2024, according to E-Con Electric's website.

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Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at [email protected].