The existing three-span Island Street Bridge over the Tail Race of the Fox River, constructed in 1930, was in need of replacement due to structural deficiencies. The bridge is one of two crossings over the Tail Race of the Fox River in the City of Kaukauna and classified as an urban arterial.

The Tail Race of the Fox River serves as a power canal for the Kaukauna Utilities Hydro Plant, which services the City of Kaukauna and its population of over 17,000. The rocky channel and desire to maintain ample water velocity and hydraulic capacity make the evaluation of new bridge alternatives all the more critical, with a need to assure that the new structure would be constructible while also avoiding shut-downs to the hydro plant. MSA’s design removed existing piers from the waterway to aid in the construction of the new bridge while also boosting the hydraulic capacity needed for plant operations.

MSA designed a new single-span prestressed girder bridge as a replacement, finished with decorative concrete surface treatments and railing to match the existing bridge to the north on Island Street. The clear roadway width on the new structure is 36 feet from face-of-curb to face-of curb and includes a new, 6-foot raised sidewalk on each side to provide safe pedestrian access and crossing ability.

The project required close coordination with the Kaukauna Utilities, and as a major stakeholder, they were involved from the onset to ensure the proposed bridge solution would be constructed safely without adversely impacting the community’s utilities. Other agency coordination included working with the DNR and State Historic Preservation Office to deliver a project adjacent to the Badger Hydroelectric Historic District.