Trempealeau board urges bypass option in Highway 35 bridge project

The Trempealeau village board is making it known to the state’s transportation department that they strongly support the construction of temporary bypass structures during a scheduled bridge replacement project.

The village’s concerns center on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) plan to replace two bridges along state Highway 35 between Holmen and Trempealeau in 2027. One bridge goes over the Black River and the other over Tank Creek.

The WisDOT plan for the project would involve a full closure of the highway for a period of 14 to 18 months while the bridges are constructed, with a detour rerouting traffic through Galesville and Centerville.

At their most recent regular monthly meeting last Thursday, the village board passed a resolution urging WisDOT to pick an alternate option for the project that would see the construction of temporary bypass structures along the bridges, allowing the regular flow of traffic to continue.

The board’s unanimous passing of the resolution late last week was just the latest update in the process. Last November, WisDOT held a public involvement meeting in Trempealeau where citizens were able to voice concerns, and the village also organized a write-in campaign to WisDOT and their state representatives expressing support for the bypass option.

The resolution noted that WisDOT informed the village it had received 123 public comments “expressing concerns about a full bridge closure and support for the bypass structures option.”

Critics of the full closure plan note concerns — outlined in the resolution language — such as the possibility of slower response times for emergency services and potential impacts on local businesses due to “reduced customer access and tourism traffic.”

The board’s resolution also thanked Rep. Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska) for responding to the feedback by putting a request in for the next state budget to include the additional funding that would be needed to fund the bypass alternative.

“I was talking to (economic development and tourism coordinator) Dave Carlson from the county and he used to work with the DOT,” village administrator/finance director Isaac Pooler said at Thursday’s meeting. “He said that these resolutions carry a lot of weight. That write-in campaign they did, I think it was over 120 comments that were sent in to the DOT. (Carlson) said a resolution like this from a community would carry the weight of 500 comments being sent it.”

Wanek Foundation donor agreement approved

The board approved a donor agreement between the village and the Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation regarding the construction of a pavilion in the village’s ongoing park project.

The park — which would be named James Reed Park under the terms of the agreement — is planned to feature a pavilion, two baseball fields with dugouts and scoreboards, two outdoor pickleball courts, an outdoor basketball court, playground equipment and a walking trail.

The approved agreement allows the village to move forward with the designing of the pavilion thanks to a $123,585 donation from the foundation to cover the cost t0 “create the final plans, specifications, and signage, as well as all designs and bid documents for the construction of a pavilion” at the park.

The completed pavilion will be called “The Wanek Pavilion” under the terms of the donor agreement.

Fees and services set for 2025 pool season

The board gave its approval to the village pool fees and services for the 2025 summer season.

Among the few changes is swimming lessons for students of the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau School District going from being no cost to $10 per session.

All daily rates and season pass costs remain unchanged from 2024. Daily passes are $3 for village residents and $10 for non-residents. For residents, a single adult season pass is $35 and a family season pass is $90. For non-residents it is $175 for a single adult season pass and $230 for a family season pass.

Both residents and non-residents who are 60 years or older will continue to be able to swim at the pool for free.