April 21, 2023

By Lane Kimble

When the original Racine Street Bridge opened in 1951, an estimated 5,000 people showed up to christen the new span.

Wednesday night’s crowd that gathered in Menasha to take in the city’s new bridge was smaller than that, but made up for it with excitement, cheers, and – yes – cowbells.

It was a celebration more than two years in the making, featuring the high school marching band, free food, and a ceremonial walk across the new double-leaf bascule bridge.

Lunda Construction was the prime contractor on the $33 million project.

“I mean that’s what we’re here for, right?” Lunda Construction Vice President Mike Hahn told WTBA after a tour of the new bridge.  “We all want to provide a product that everybody’s proud of and the community can use.”

WisDOT expects the bridge to last 75 years, with proper maintenance.