Donald A. Tilleman Bridge (WIS 54/Mason Street) Reconstruction or Replacement Study
WIS 54/Mason Street/Tilleman bridge is a major east-west connector linking I-43 to I-41 in the city of Green Bay. This study will review alternatives for the reconstruction or replacement of a portion of Mason Street within downtown Green Bay, including the bridge portion that spans the Fox River.
The study begins now to allow the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to plan for the appropriate near-term rehabilitation and maintenance of the structure lift spans ahead of the reconstruction or replacement planned for 2032.
There is a separate design website for the near-term rehabilitation improvement project proposed in 2026 or 2027.
Study location
The study area for the WIS 54/Mason Street/Tilleman Bridge Reconstruction or Replacement Study encompasses approximately 1.5 miles of WIS 54/Mason Street in the city of Green Bay from 12th Avenue on the west side of the Fox River to Webster Avenue on the east side of the Fox River. The study area also includes the ramps and approaches to the Mason Street Bridge on both sides of the Fox River.
Bridge facts
- Donald A. Tilleman Bridge aka Mason Street Bridge
- This is also Wisconsin State Trunk Highway 54 (WIS 54) and is under the jurisdiction of WisDOT.
- Double lift
- Horizontal clearance 95 feet
- Vertical clearance 32.6 feet
- It is WisDOT structure B-05-134.
The WIS 54/Mason Street/Tilleman bridge carries WIS 54 traffic over the Fox River in downtown Green Bay in Brown County, Wisconsin. The 50-year-old bridge was built in 1973 and sees an average of 34,200 vehicles per day. The bridge has two through lanes in each direction plus an auxiliary acceleration and deceleration lane for connecting on and off ramps.
The bridge and its interchanges span and tie into several local streets on both sides of the waterway and a railroad mainline and spur track on the west side. A pedestrian sidewalk is located on the north side of the bridge along the westbound traffic lanes. The bridge has no bicycle facilities and bicycles are currently not permitted on the bridge. Green Bay Metro provides bus service via the Route 6 Red Line.
The bridge mainline is approximately 4,600 feet long and is comprised of a movable span with two adjacent fixed steel anchor spans and a series of fixed concrete approach spans on either side of the waterway. The movable span is a double-leaf trunnion-style bascule structure operated by Brown County.
The mainline portion of the approach structure consists of 23 spans west of the bascule span and 20 to the east. Additional multi-span units carry four entrance and exit ramps on each side of the river to under passing local streets.
Study need
The purpose of the study is to address the condition of the WIS 54/Mason Street/Tilleman bridge over the Fox River and its approach bridge structures. The project needs are anticipated to include the following:
- Bridge condition
- Safety conditions
The study phase of the project will complete the required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document and identify a preferred alternative that will move forward in design and construction.
Schedule and next steps
The study began in summer 2023 and is expected to finish in 2026. The study includes:
- Gathering information such as a survey of the existing conditions, traffic volumes, crash data, existing land uses, and environmental characteristics.
- Determining future land uses and traffic demand.
- Determining community needs.
- Developing alternatives.
- Analyzing the alternatives based on the goals and objectives of the study.
- Preparing drawings of the final preferred concept.
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View Mason Street Bridge study schedule (pdf)
Public meetings
Public Involvement Meeting material from November 14, 2023 PIM.
Individual exhibits and displays from (Nov. 14, 2023 PIM)
WisDOT will hold numerous public meetings during the study period. Please check back for dates, times, and locations.
Proposed concepts to be studied
- No build alternative
- Reconstruction
- Replacement
Get in Touch
Please fill out a brief, online comment form to assist us during the information-gathering phase of the study.
You can also sign up for future WIS 54/Mason Street/Tilleman Bridge Study updates.
Project contact<
Bryan Lipke, P.E., Project Manager
WisDOT Northeast Region
944 Vanderperren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304
(920) 429-5703
Bryan.lipke@dot.wi.gov
Mark Kantola, Regional Communications Manager
WisDOT Northeast Region
944 Vanderperren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304
(920) 492-4153
Mark.Kantola@dot.wi.gov