WisDOT supports maritime commerce with lift bridge payments

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) today announced that the annual payment to support maritime commerce in four cities along Lake Michigan totals about $2.3 million, which covers operating costs of nine lift bridges.

“Bridges that allow ocean going ships to access our port cities open global markets to our businesses and make the most of Wisconsin’s geographic advantages,” Secretary Craig Thompson said. “Supporting this transportation infrastructure helps manufacturers, agriculture and many other Wisconsin businesses.”

Municipalities submit their lift bridge operating costs to WisDOT. The $2.3 million payment, made on July 3, fully covers the submitted expenses.

Wisconsin’s lift bridges allow passage of taller ships in the cities of Green Bay, Manitowoc, Milwaukee and Racine. Oceangoing vessels have access to these ports via the Saint Lawrence Seaway.

Lift bridges raise a section of roadway vertically. Bascule bridges, which are sometimes called drawbridges, tip up two sections of the roadway on pivots.

The bridges and the payments are as follows:

• Main Street in Green Bay – $319,608.64
• 8th Street in Manitowoc – $132,752.06
• 10th Street in Manitowoc – $29,876.98
• Broadway Street in Milwaukee – $247,124.06
• Kinnickinnic and 1st Street in Milwaukee – $401,669.25
• State Street in Milwaukee – $150,189.77
• Wells Street in Milwaukee – $27,843.91
• Main Street in Racine – $620,207.00
• State Street in Racine – $275,179.54

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.