Photos: Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge opens in Sauk City
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge opens in Sauk City, Wis. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. The new bridge will connect the Walking Iron Trail in Dane County to the Great Sauk Trail in Sauk County.Â
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 1
Visitors try out the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail just moments after it opened Thursday in Sauk City. The new bridge and a restored railway trestle will connect the 11.5-mile Great Sauk State Trail with the 3-mile Walking Iron Trail under construction in Dane County and scheduled for completion in fall 2027.
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 2
The former railroad bridge over the main channel of the Wisconsin River was removed in 2018 and replaced with a new structure that opened Thursday. A more than 100-year-old railroad trestle near the Dane County side of the river was refurbished.
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 3
Gordie Stroud, 9, of Milwaukee, whose dad worked on the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail project, was among the first to ride his bike on the new span. Around 200 people showed up Thursday for the opening in Sauk City.
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 4
The new bridge over the main channel of the Wisconsin River at Sauk City includes pullouts that allow users to get off the trail and observe nature. The 92-mile Lower Wisconsin Riverway is home to a diverse ecosystem that is recognized internationally.
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 7
Users can access both bridges of the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail from Sauk City but will hit a dead end on the Dane County side until the Walking Iron Trail is completed next year.
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Visitors walk and bike the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge for the first time during an opening event in Sauk City, Wis. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 6
Karl Betchner, of Prairie du Sac, and his 4-year-old son, Bode, check out the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail Thursday shortly after a ribbon-cutting event in Sauk City.
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 8
The Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail offers stunning views of the river. On Thursday, town of Berry residents, Amy Jones, left, and Stefanie Brouwer, right, with Pauline Brunner, of Cross Plains, center, took in the views from an island between the two bridges.
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A crowd makes their way onto the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge during a ribbon cutting event in Sauk City, Wis. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
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Visitors walk and bike on the restored railway trestle that connects to the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge during an opening event in Sauk City, Wis. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 5
Work continues on the 3-mile Walking Iron Trail in the town of Mazomanie. This section is seen from Highway Y, just off Highway 78 in Dane County. The trail, which will be paved, leads to the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail, and is scheduled to open in fall 2027.
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The Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge in Sauk City, Wis. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. The new bridge will connect the Walking Iron Trail in Dane County to the Great Sauk Trail in Sauk County. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 1
Visitors try out the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail just moments after it opened Thursday in Sauk City. The new bridge and a restored railway trestle will connect the 11.5-mile Great Sauk State Trail with the 3-mile Walking Iron Trail under construction in Dane County and scheduled for completion in fall 2027.
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 2
The former railroad bridge over the main channel of the Wisconsin River was removed in 2018 and replaced with a new structure that opened Thursday. A more than 100-year-old railroad trestle near the Dane County side of the river was refurbished.
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 3
Gordie Stroud, 9, of Milwaukee, whose dad worked on the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail project, was among the first to ride his bike on the new span. Around 200 people showed up Thursday for the opening in Sauk City.
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 4
The new bridge over the main channel of the Wisconsin River at Sauk City includes pullouts that allow users to get off the trail and observe nature. The 92-mile Lower Wisconsin Riverway is home to a diverse ecosystem that is recognized internationally.
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 7
Users can access both bridges of the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail from Sauk City but will hit a dead end on the Dane County side until the Walking Iron Trail is completed next year.
SaukBridge-20261105-06-0194.JPGWIS0004128168.JPG
Visitors walk and bike the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge for the first time during an opening event in Sauk City, Wis. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 6
Karl Betchner, of Prairie du Sac, and his 4-year-old son, Bode, check out the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail Thursday shortly after a ribbon-cutting event in Sauk City.
SaukBridge-20261105-09-0558.JPGWIS0004128171.JPG
A crowd makes their way onto the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge during a ribbon cutting event in Sauk City, Wis. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
SaukBridge-20261105-10-1080.JPGWIS0004128172.JPG
Visitors walk and bike on the restored railway trestle that connects to the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge during an opening event in Sauk City, Wis. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail 5
Work continues on the 3-mile Walking Iron Trail in the town of Mazomanie. This section is seen from Highway Y, just off Highway 78 in Dane County. The trail, which will be paved, leads to the Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge & Trail, and is scheduled to open in fall 2027.
SaukBridge-20261105-12-1751.JPGWIS0004128174.JPG
The Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge in Sauk City, Wis. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. The new bridge will connect the Walking Iron Trail in Dane County to the Great Sauk Trail in Sauk County. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
The $12 million project will connect the Great Sauk State Trail with the under-construction Walking Iron Trail in Dane County.
