La Crosse West Channel Bridge, Road bridge connecting Barron Island in La Crosse County, United States
La Crosse West Channel Bridge is a four-lane road crossing that spans the Mississippi River connecting Wisconsin and Minnesota. The structure uses a steel plate girder design with truss elements supporting the main traffic deck.
Built in 1940 by engineering firms Klug and Smith Company and Minneapolis Bridge Company, the structure showcases mid-century bridge design. The original steel framework remains largely unchanged and continues to carry traffic daily.
The bridge links two communities separated by water, making daily travel between them possible and practical. It shapes how people from both sides interact and move through the region.
The bridge is open to traffic at all times and provides a straightforward crossing between the two states. During peak hours you may experience congestion, so allow extra time if you are crossing during busy periods.
The bridge functions as part of an unusual transportation arrangement where a newer bridge was constructed alongside it rather than replacing it. This side-by-side existence of old and new infrastructure is something many travelers overlook when crossing.
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