The Marquette–Joliet Bridge is a bridge crossing the Mississippi River, connecting Marquette, Iowa and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Local residents refer to the bridge as the Prairie Bridge or the Marquette Bridge; both terms are used equally.[2]
Marquette–Joliet Bridge | |
|---|---|
 US-18 is carried by Marquette–Joliet Bridge into Marquette, Iowa | |
| Coordinates | 43°02′38″N 91°10′33″W / 43.04389°N 91.17583°W |
| Carries | 2 lanes of  US 18 /  WIS 60 |
| Crosses | Mississippi River |
| Locale | Marquette, Iowa and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin |
| Other name(s) | Marquette Bridge, Prairie Bridge |
| Maintained by | Wisconsin Department of Transportation |
| ID number | 000000000020515[1] |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Tied arch bridge |
| Total length | 780.8 meters (2,561.7 ft)[1] |
| Width | 12.2 meters (40.0 ft)[1] |
| Longest span | 462 feet (141 m) |
| Clearance above | 8.71 meters (28.58 ft)[1] |
| Clearance below | 18.3 meters (60.0 ft)[1] |
| History | |
| Opened | June 1975 |
| Location | |
 | |
The structure is an automobile bridge about three lanes wide, and is designed to accept Jersey barriers for deck service. It is located between the Black Hawk Bridge, about 40 miles (64 km) to the north upstream, and the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge some 60 miles (97 km) south. The bridge carries U.S. Route 18 from Iowa to Wisconsin.
The design of the bridge is a cable-supported tied arch bridge, with the two ends of the arch terminating at abutments located in the middle of the river.
In the winter after its opening, the bridge developed several cracks and had to be closed for repair. In more recent years, the approach on the Iowa side of the bridge was rebuilt as part of the U.S. 18 bypass that was built around Marquette and McGregor, Iowa.[3][4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e Svirsky, Alexander (2008). "NBI Structure Number: 000000000020515". Retrieved 2008-02-22.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Marquette-Joliet Bridge Scenic Overlook and Boardwalk". HR Green, Inc. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
- ^ Evenstad, Mark. "Bridge Repair Project at Prairie du Chien To Be Completed Soon". 97 Seven Country WGLR - The Tri-States Best Variety of Country - Lancaster, Dubuque, Galena, Platteville. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
- ^ "Seven-month-long bridge project underway". Courier Press. 2020-03-24. Retrieved 2023-09-21.