Ground officially broken on South Bridge Connector project

June 2, 2025

BROWN COUNTY – Construction has officially begun on the first two segments of the South Bridge Connector project following an official groundbreaking held last month.

Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach said the project is more than half a century in the making.

“It takes extensive collaboration to make a project this large happen,” he said. “This project will serve a rapidly growing area of the county, alleviate congestion and improve traffic safety, while encouraging economic growth by linking major highways from businesses and industries.”

Project Segment 1 – also known as EB-39 – consists of constructing a roundabout and connecting County Highway F to the west of the new Interstate 41 interchange and Mid Valley Drive.

Project Segment 2 – also known as GV-14 – consists of constructing County Highway GV from French Road to Lawrence Drive, ultimately connecting County Highways EB and GV to Interstate 41.

“The day has finally arrived for the long-awaited South Bridge Connector,” Brown County Highway Commissioner Chris Hardy said. “We are breaking ground today, moving plans to action for the residents of Brown County.”

Total cost for completion of the EB-39 Segment, Hardy said, will be approximately $8.7 million, which will be split evenly between Brown County and the Town of Lawrence and includes a bridge over Hemlock Creek.

The cost of the GV-14 Segment, Hardy said, will be $5.1 million – split evenly between Brown County and the City of De Pere.

Work for these segments, including the new I-41 interchange, is scheduled to be completed by fall 2026.

Meanwhile, Hardy said environmental reviews, agency coordination, public involvement and preliminary design continue for the future segments of the project, with construction of those projects continuing into 2027, 2028 and 2029.