Construction of new I-90 bridge to begin

LA CROSSE (AP) - After more than 10 years of planning, construction of the new Interstate 90 bridge that crosses the Mississippi River at Dresbach, Minn., is expected to begin Monday.

Transportation officials say the first year of the project won't cause many traffic delays. Interstate 90 will remain open during the four-year project, but various ramps will be closed for months at a time. Project manager Terry Ward says traffic from La Crosse to La Crescent, Minn., on westbound I-90 to southbound Highway 61 will be closed for an extended period of time.

Ward tells WXOW-TV it's a unique project because of the state line in the middle. The Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation coordinated on the $187 million bridge and interchange project.