I-41 Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Project

The City of Oshkosh Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan identified crossing I-41 as a significant gap in the community's walking and biking network. More recently, this opportunity became available after East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC) adopted a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP) in January 2024. Shaped by public and stakeholder input, the plan identified the I-41 corridor as an area of concern for bicycle and pedestrian safety and recommended pursuing a bridge connection.

The proposed bridge would help address that gap by creating a safer and more direct connection between east and west portions of the City of Oshkosh, including access to neighborhoods, schools, parks, downtown, and other community destinations.

The project will include three primary elements:

1. Land Acquisition
   • Acquire property between Washburn Street and Patriot Lane
   • Estimated cost: $300,000 to $400,000
   • This cost is not included in the grant analysis and would be funded through other city funding sources, including but not limited to TID #35 and/or borrowing
2. Bridge Construction
   • Construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge north of Sawyer Creek, including a 12-foot wide shared-use path
   • Incorporate approach ramps and a spiral ramp to connect to existing routes
   • Estimated cost: $9,800,000
     • Approximately 80% of these costs are to be covered by the SS4A grant award
3. Shared Use Path
   • Construct a 10-foot-wide path between Patriot Lane and Washburn Street to improve connectivity
   • Estimated cost: $1,200,000
     • Approximately 80% of these costs are to be covered by the SS4A grant award

City staff worked with a consultant to apply for SS4A funding in May 2024, and the city was awarded the grant in September 2024. The city is currently working through the federal grant agreement process and is awaiting direction on next steps from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Timeline

2011 – The Oshkosh Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was approved by the Oshkosh Common Council on September 27, 2011. A pedestrian overpass over I-41 was discussed and recommended for study.

2019 – The updated Oshkosh Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was approved by the Oshkosh Common Council on November 19, 2019. The pedestrian overpass over I-41 was identified as an actionable item.

2021 – The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was passed at the federal level in November 2021.

2022 – In May 2022, BIL established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program.

2022 – On August 23, 2022, the City Manager reports to Council a Professional Services Agreement with Strand Associates, Inc. for I-41 Pedestrian Bridge Feasibility Analysis $42,500.

2024 – On January 25, 2024, ECWRPC adopted CSAP, which satisfied the Action Plan requirement for SS4A eligibility. The plan identified the I-41 corridor a bicycle and pedestrian safety concern and recommended a bridge connection.

SS4A Grant Process

• March 2024: Grant process opened
• May 16, 2024: Grant application submitted
• September 9, 2024: Notification of grant award

First SS4A Grant Submittal

• December 19, 2024: Initial draft grant agreement was submitted to FHWA
• December 20, 2024: Feedback was received by FHWA
• December 30, 2024: Revised draft agreement sent to FHWA Headquarters (HQ)
• January 6, 2025: Comments returned from HQ
• January 7, 2025: Third draft resubmitted for review
• January 28, 2025 – May 2025: City inquiries about updates; no substantial information on grant agreements
• May 2025: HQ requests awardees to restart the grant agreement process

Second SS4A Grant Submittal (due to change in Administration at Federal Level)

• May 2025: FHWA provides updated grant agreement template and new terms and conditions
• July 15, 2025: City submits the revised grant agreement
• July 16, 2025: FHWA edits and forwards the document to HQ
• October 1, 2025: Comments from HQ received on the draft agreement
• November 4, 2025: Common Council direction to staff to continue work on this grant
• November 11, 2025: Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) amendment approved to include funding for this project in the CIP budget

Most Recent Activity

• December 4, 2025: City submits revised grant agreement to FHWA representative
• February 3, 2026: FHWA representative informed staff that the grant agreement made it to the next round of review in HQ
• March 12, 2026: FHWA representative informed staff that the grant agreement made it to the final round of review in HQ
• April 15, 2026: Minimal comments from HQ received on the grant agreement
• May 12, 2026: Common Council votes to continue moving forward with the awarded grant
• May 20, 2026: City submits grant agreement addressing comments to FHWA
• Current: City awaiting a response from HQ regarding next steps

What is the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program?

The SS4A program is a federal grant program that provides funding to regional, local, and Tribal communities for projects aimed at preventing roadway fatalities and serious injuries.

Why is the bridge needed?

Crossing I-41 on foot or by bicycle is one of the biggest gaps in Oshkosh's bicycle and pedestrian network. The Comprehensive Safety Action Plan identified and demonstrated the I-41 corridor as a hazardous area for bicyclists and pedestrians. The proposed bridge would provide a safer way for residents and visitors to cross the corridor and would improve connections between neighborhoods, schools, parks, downtown, and other community destinations.

How would this benefit the community?

This project would provide a safer method of crossing I-41 for bikes and pedestrians as well a convenient connection between western Oshkosh, and central and eastern Oshkosh. It would improve access to different city destinations, while expanding non-motorized transportation options.

Why this location?

Many locations were evaluated throughout the I-41 corridor as part of the feasibility study conducted in 2022. This location was recommended based on available land to connect the corridor as well as its' central location. The location is also consistent with the recommendations in the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, which identified the area between Witzel Avenue and WIS 21 (Oshkosh Avenue) as a key location for addressing the gap in the existing bicycle and pedestrian network.

What is the total cost for this project?

This estimated project cost is slightly more than $10 million, excluding certain land acquisition costs. The SS4A grant provides 80% of the funding which covers the majority of the needed funding for this project.