Funding Secured for Kaukauna's Veterans Memorial Bridge

The Fox River Navigation System Authority (FRNSA) in a press release is reporting that funds to repair the Kaukauna Veterans Memorial Bridge to operational status have been secured. The U.S. Coast Guard notified the City of Kaukauna that the bridge, over the Fox River Navigation Channel, must be operational by May 1, 2021.

Clearance is limited without lifting the bridge.
Photo by J.R. Manning for Bridge and Landmark Hunter sites.

Because everything else about the bridge, except the lift mechanism is in good shape, there are no federal dollars available for the repairs. Funds were included in the current State of Wisconsin budget but were struck from the budget by Governor Tony Evers, using the governor's line item veto. In his budget memo, Governor Evers stated, "I am vetoing these sections as I object to the placement of the project in the budget, particularly given the lack of additional funding provided to ensure that this earmark does not result in a delay for other needed repairs." (Source: Veto Message, Office of Tony Evers, page 64.)

The Fox River Navigation System Authority (FRNSA) says that it worked with city officials and funding was secured through a "newly formed $75 million Multimodal Local Supplement grant program."

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