DE PERE (WTAQ-WLUK) — The bridge being built over the Fox River in southern Brown County could soon have a name if the Brown County board approves it on Wednesday.
Starting in 2030, drivers could be traveling over the American Independence Bridge.
“I would welcome all Americans to go over that bridge,” said Rick Van Lanen, a Brown County supervisor who represents an area near where the bridge is being built.
Van Lanen says the name came out of inspiration for America’s recent 250th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence.
“They risked everything to take this concept of American Independence and risked their lives, their fortunes,” said Van Lanen.
In 2023, De Pere’s Common Council suggested naming the bridge for Arthur Altmeyer. He was a 1910 De Pere High School graduate who was the first commissioner for the Social Security Administration.
FOX 11 wanted to hear De Pere’s thoughts on the American Independence name. Mayor James Boyd declined an interview request. When we did the story on the Altmeyer suggestion in July ‘23, he said it was well received.
“The people that understand history, understand what he had done and what he meant to this country,” said Boyd during a July ’23 interview. “I think they fully realize this is due.”
“Certainly there’s probably many, many names that could be given, but I think the American Independence Bridge, really I think it benefits all of the residents in Brown County,” said Van Lanen.
It is a county bridge, so it has the ultimate say. The board will vote on American Independence Bridge on Wednesday.
Construction on the bridge is slated to start in 2028, with hopes of providing some drivers some sort of independence from current, more congested paths over the river.
An interchange from I-41 will also provide a quicker route to and from the Fox Valley. That part of the project is expected to be done at the end of this year.
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