Town of Barton, Wi – Neighbors in the Town of Barton got a closer look at plans to reconstruct and expand the Lighthouse Lanes bridge during a recent public information meeting, where engineer Scott Ahles of Mead & Hunt walked through what to expect from the project.
Ahles described the new structure as straightforward in design, prioritizing safety and durability over aesthetics.
“It’s going to have standard concrete parapets on the side… there’s two piers in the water versus the one that’s there now,” he said. “It’s going to be pretty much a basic bridge. Nothing special about it.”
The construction schedule is being carefully choreographed around environmental protections, particularly for endangered species in the area.
“We’re anticipating activities of construction starting in February 2027, but that is mostly in preparation of environmental protection,” Ahles said.
Tree removal, according to Ahles, must happen during winter months due to federally protected northern long-eared bats.
“They don’t nest in the trees in the winter, so we take trees down in the winter,” he said.
Work in the river is also restricted during fish spawning season, creating a pause in activity before major construction begins.
“There’s probably going to be a time frame in the spring where nothing is going to be going on out here… then they’ll shut down everything and start construction after the Fourth of July.”
Once underway, the project is expected to move quickly. “We anticipate construction to be done before the end of October,” Ahles said.
One of the biggest changes—and concerns from neighbors—is the bridge’s expanded width. The current structure is about 19-feet wide; the new bridge will more than double that.
“This one’s now going to be 40-feet wide to accommodate two-lane traffic through the whole bridge,” Ahles said, clarifying it will be “one lane in each direction plus a shoulder.”
While there will be no sidewalks, the design includes eight-foot-wide shoulders to accommodate pedestrians and future cyclists.
Ahles added the width aligns with long-term planning. “Washington County has this as a future planned bicycle route… the bridge is more than adequately wide enough for pedestrian traffic.”
While an undetermined number of trees will be removal, Ahles said it will be necessary particularly near the bridge approaches and embankments. He said the wider footprint and roadway improvements, along with portions of private property will be affected.
Temporary easements will be used during construction, while some permanent limited easements will allow the town to maintain drainage areas.
Property owners have already been notified and will continue to be engaged.
“They will be notified by the town that there will be some future discussions and negotiating in order to acquire those rights.”
Ahles emphasized, while eminent domain is possible, it follows a structured legal process.
“What a lot of people think—that’s just a straight strong arm—it is not that type of process.”
The estimated cost of the project is about $1.25 million, with funding largely coming from federal sources.
“The town has already been awarded federal bridge money,” Ahles said. “With 80 percent paid by the federal government and 20 percent paid by the locals, which is very typical.”
During construction, the road will be fully closed, with a signed detour route directing traffic along CTH D and surrounding roads. The nearby intersection at Kettle Moraine Drive will also be closed due to limited space for construction.
Recreational river traffic will be temporarily rerouted as well.
“We’re not going to allow kayakers and canoers to pass underneath the bridge… we are going to provide a point that they can get out of the river and get around the construction zone.”
According to Ahles, the reason for the replacement is “the existing bridge, built in the early 1900s, has exceeded its intended lifespan.”
“Typically a bridge is designed for 75 years. This one’s at 125 roughly,” Ahles said. “It’s beyond its useful life… concrete is spalling off the bridge.”
Ahles said the most common questions from residents have centered on timing and the scale of the new structure.
