STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — The City of Stevens Point and Friends of the Plover River Crossing Trail have announced a $1.47 million grant to be used for the completion of a pedestrian bridge across the Plover River.
Mayor Mike Wiza said serious discussion about the project has been going on for the last two years, but the idea dates back much longer than that. “People have been asking about a crossing for the better part of 20 years and seeing everyone pull together when this opportunity came up is nothing short of inspiring,” said Wiza in a statement.
The grant application was completed in February. The city and the Friends of the Plover River Crossing Trail group announced the award on Friday.
Money will come from the Transportation Alternative Programs grant program. The effort was a collaboration between the City, Friends of the Plover River Crossing Trail, and the Town of Hull along with local property owners, private citizens, and donors.
The bridge will be the city’s first dedicated pedestrian crossing over the Plover River and will provide residents located north of Highway 10 with a dedicated and convenient connection to the Green Circle Trail. It will also offer west-side residents with a safe pedestrian path to several youth sports complexes and other amenities.
Construction on the bridge is set to begin in 2024, with the bridge open to pedestrians the following year.
“This project is something that will benefit the whole area, not just Stevens Point,” added Wiza.
