July 25, 2023

By Lane Kimble

JIM FALLS, Wis. — What once was the oldest is now the newest in Wisconsin, thanks to WTBA member Sheet Piling Services LLC.

Tuesday, with Gov. Tony Evers and WisDOT, folks in Chippewa County cut the ribbon on the new Cobban Bridge, which spans the Chippewa River.

“My administration has remained committed since Day One to building the resilient, safe infrastructure needed to support our communities, economy, and Wisconsinites’ quality of life,” Gov. Evers said.  “The new Cobban Bridge illustrates this commitment.”

The old bridge (and, yes, it was quite old – built in 1908, it was the oldest Pennsylvania through-truss bridge in Wisconsin) had been closed for safety reasons since 2017.  The state’s Local Bridge Improvement Program provided 80% of the funding and Chippewa County contributed the other 20%.

SPS started work on the new bridge in August 2022 and finished it this summer, three months ahead of schedule.

The new bridge is about 20 feet longer (504’ 10”) and 12 feet wider, allowing for two lanes instead of one.

Meanwhile, parts of the old bridge will live on.

The Chippewa County Highway Department and Historical Society worked together to recycle steel beams to build a 200-foot fence at Lake Wissota State Park.

“A new bridge will carry new generations of travelers and, meanwhile, we all can carry the stories of the old bridge with us,” Historical Society Director Frank Smoot said.

Congratulations to SPS and all the crews who worked on the new bridge!