Marquette–Joliet Bridge

Bridge in Iowa and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin

43°02′38″N 91°10′33″W / 43.04389°N 91.17583°W / 43.04389; -91.17583Carries2 lanes of

US 18 /

WIS 60CrossesMississippi RiverLocaleMarquette, Iowa and Prairie du Chien, WisconsinOther name(s)Marquette Bridge, Prairie BridgeMaintained byWisconsin Department of Transportation ID number000000000020515^[1]CharacteristicsDesignTied arch bridgeTotal length780.8 meters (2,561.7 ft)^[1]Width12.2 meters (40.0 ft)^[1]Longest span462 feet (141 m)Clearance above8.71 meters (28.58 ft)^[1]Clearance below18.3 meters (60.0 ft)^[1]HistoryOpenedJune 1975Location Map

The Marquette–Joliet Bridge is a bridge crossing the Mississippi River, connecting Marquette, Iowa and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Local residents refer to the bridge as the Prairie Bridge or the Marquette Bridge; both terms are used equally.^[2]

The structure is an automobile bridge about three lanes wide, and is designed to accept Jersey barriers for deck service. It is located between the Black Hawk Bridge, about 40 miles (64 km) to the north upstream, and the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge some 60 miles (97 km) south. The bridge carries U.S. Route 18 from Iowa to Wisconsin.

The design of the bridge is a cable-supported tied arch bridge, with the two ends of the arch terminating at abutments located in the middle of the river.

In the winter after its opening, the bridge developed several cracks and had to be closed for repair. In more recent years, the approach on the Iowa side of the bridge was rebuilt as part of the U.S. 18 bypass that was built around Marquette and McGregor, Iowa.^[3]^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Svirsky, Alexander (2008). "NBI Structure Number: 000000000020515". Retrieved 2008-02-22.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "Marquette-Joliet Bridge Scenic Overlook and Boardwalk". HR Green, Inc. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
^ Evenstad, Mark. "Bridge Repair Project at Prairie du Chien To Be Completed Soon". 97 Seven Country WGLR - The Tri-States Best Variety of Country - Lancaster, Dubuque, Galena, Platteville. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
^ "Seven-month-long bridge project underway". Courier Press. 2020-03-24. Retrieved 2023-09-21.