A breakdown of construction. PC: Fox 11 Online
DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Talks have lasted decades, but construction on the South Bridge Connector project is now underway.
The county shared those plans with residents Thursday.
“[We] look at that input,” said Chris Hardy, highway commissioner for Brown County. “We evaluate that amongst all the other variables that we’re considering for the design.”
The meeting drew a big crowd — for a big project.
That area is now under construction. EB 39, the area of the roundabout at Scheuring Road and County F and County EB, and the roundabout at Lawrence Drive and South Bridge road. It’s a six-step process that runs all the way over to County Highways GV and X.
South Bridge Connector Summaries (as of Spring 2025)
GV-16 includes the bridge.
- EB-39 (County Highway F to Mid Valley Drive) construction in 2025-2026
- GV-15 (Lawrence Drive to County Highway D) construction in 2028-2030
- GV-17 (State Highway 32/57 to County Highway PP) construction in 2028
- GV-14 (Innovation Court to Lawrence Drive) construction in 2025
- GV-16 (County Highway D to State Highway 32/57) construction in 2028-2029
- GV-18 (County Highway PP to County Highway GV/X) construction in 2028-2029
But the big part of this development is the bridge, which should be done in 2027. Decades in the making, it figures to provide benefits to De Pere.
“Economic development is a big key connectivity. East to west for the county is another one,” said Hardy. “The nearest bridges are down in Wrightstown and all the way up in downtown De Pere.”
It’s even supported by someone who owns property that’ll be cleared to make way for the bridge.
“For as long as I’ve owned business in De Pere, it’s been the traffic. It’s bad,” said Lyndon Hovell, who used to run a business in De Pere and still owns the land. “We need this to get business across from one side of the river to the other, and it’s sadly needed.”
Progress has its place.
“We don’t need the bridge,” said Irvin Peeters. “But as long as it’s there, we’ll accept it.”
Even if you’re like Peeters, who lives on a farm built in the 1800s.
One part of the plan still under consideration would create a walking path on his property. He says those plans aren’t concrete, but he hopes they’re struck down.
And the noise of ongoing construction — well, he’s just one of a few concerned.
“It’s not gonna help anything either,” said Peeters. “I’ll tell you that much.”
But progress marches on.
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