Whitewater's bridge to nowhere was meant for future growth
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Years after it was constructed in 2005, this bridge over Highway 12, which is an extension of Indian Mound Parkway, is closed. The bridge was intended to connect to a residential area on the other side.
WHITEWATER — What it is: Visitors who drive into Whitewater on Walworth Avenue/County S often wonder about the closed bridge that appears to go over Highway 12.
If they look closely at a map or at the bridge itself, they'll find that it does indeed go over Highway 12—but then stops abruptly in a cornfield.
The bridge is the southern extension of Indian Mound Parkway. On the northern side of Walworth Avenue, it leads to a subdivision filled with large homes.
"The bridge was part of road construction—the Highway 12 bypass— in 2005," said former Whitewater City Manager Kevin Brunner. "The city asked the DOT for an overpass at that location."
The idea?
The area on the other side of the bridge would be perfect for future residential expansion.
"The area is annexed into the city and is zoned for residential development," Brunner said. "It's in a good location and has access to Highway 12."
In 2008, however, the housing market took its famous nosedive, and development everywhere slowed to a standstill.
The bridge goes over the overpass and then turns into a dirt road that leads to farm fields and one of the city's municipal wells.
The bridge was eventually closed to motor vehicle traffic because of people congregating on the other end of the bridge or drag racing it.
Now, local residents use the bridge to walk their dogs or to take a pleasant stroll over farmland and Highway 12.
Jul 10, 2012 at 12:36 p.m.
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exactly, a bridge to nowhere. When Hwys 89, P & N all have stop lights the city puts overpasses where they are not necessary. They should have been for the Hwys.
Jul 10, 2012 at 11:21 a.m.
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the fact that there are stoplights on the bypass is absurd! but hey. at least there not any roundabouts like in milton or watertown!!!
Jul 10, 2012 at 11:18 a.m.
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How much money was spent on this bridge, and who owns the land that they wasted this money on? Now, if you answered those questions, this would be real reporting.
Jul 10, 2012 at 9:20 a.m.
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I understand the city's thinking when they requested a bridge at that location. When the housing market improves that area is the mostly likely area in the city to be developed. However it was literally a fatal mistake not to insist on another overpass at the intersection of Hwy 89. The state's plan of a stop sign at that intersection was absurd and regrettably it took a fatal accident to prompt the installation of traffic lights.
Jul 9, 2012 at 10:57 p.m.
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bridge to no where, could have used that overpass on highway 12, would have saved alot of lives.politics at work
Jul 9, 2012 at 10:05 p.m.
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so................when the housing market comes back, why shouldn't this bridge still be there?
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