The Sturgeon Bay City Council has given its blessing to an official detour route for next year's Bayview Bridge closure, agreeing to the proposal set forth by the city's Parking & Traffic Committee.
The northbound route will use Green Bay Road, Madison Avenue, the Michigan Street Bridge and Michigan Street. Southbound traffic will follow Egg Harbor Road, Jefferson Street, 3rd Avenue, Michigan Street, the Michigan Street Bridge, Madison Avenue and Green Bay Road.
Alderman John Lodl attempted to get an amendment passed that would have had southbound traffic use 4th Avenue instead of 3rd Avenue, saying "the good of the many outweighs the good of the few," but no one else was on board with the plan.
Alderman Joe Stutting said he agrees that 4th Avenue is "set up for a better flow," but that people will pick their own routes regardless of what the official detour is.
The Council's decision included an amendment to recommend the state include temporary traffic signals at the intersection of Egg Harbor Road and Highway 42/57, but it was believed that provision is already a part of the state's plan.
The $5.5 million dollar project to upgrade the Bayview Bridge will force the span to close for approximately three months -- from April through June 2013 -- forcing an estimated 12,700 vehicles a day onto the streets of Sturgeon Bay and across the two downtown bridges.
