Ripon Bridge Replacement Concerns

RIPON, Wis (WRPN)- The City of Ripon has applied for state funding to replace two bridges that are in poor shape.

City Administrator Adam Sonntag gave the Common Council an update last week on the East Jackson Street and Pacific Street Bridges. Under the state’s Local Small Structure Improvement Program bridges with a rating of 5 or less are eligible for the program in which the state pays for 90 percent of the replacement costs.

The Pacific Street Bridge has a 2 rating, the lowest in Fond du Lac County, and the East Jackson Street Bridge a 3 rating. During the past month the city was notified of a structural failure on the East Jackson Street Bridge involving the collapse of a wall section.

Sonntag says the bridge is still safe to drive on. He says costs estimates for the replacement of the Pacific Street Bridge and Jackson Street Bridge are $1.7 million and $1.6 million respectively.

Sonntag informed the council that the city will find out next month whether its applications for the state program are approved.