Winona Bridge Project Cost Increased by $30 Million

WINONA, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the price tag for a highway bridge project in Winona has gone up by about $30 million.

Project manager Terry Ward gave the Winona City Council an update on the Highway 43 bridge project this week. Ward says the additional costs are for rehabilitating the existing bridge after the new bridge crossing the Mississippi River opens this fall.

Ward says the old bridge has been deteriorating faster than expected and the requirements for the rehabilitation have increased. Ward said the Federal Highway Administration is being consulted on the project to review the proposed plans.

KAGE-AM reports no decisions have been made about whether to abandon rehabilitation of the old bridge. The rehab of the old bridge has been projected to be finished in 2019.