In this video from Building Wisconsin TV, we check out the replacement of two important Wisconsin bridges. Host Stuart Keith starts in Watertown at the Main St. bridge over the Rock River first built in 1844. In was replaced in 1881 and again in 1931 when it was named the Cole Memorial Bridge after Watertown pioneer John W. Cole. Wisconsin Operating Engineers President Terry McGowan explains the project along with stories about a previously unknown tunnel that was discovered when the old bridge was removed. This 93 year old bridge was scheduled for replacement in 2026 but with assistance from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, it was started in 2024. Stu then travels up to the I-39/90/94 bridge that crosses the Wisconsin River in Columbia County. He meets with US Senator Tammy Baldwin and WiDot Secretary Craig Thompson to learn about the reconstruction of this major bridge and how important projects like these are being financed through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress in 2021.
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