Chippewa County Struggles to Replace Aging CTH M Bridge Over Lake Holcombe

Mar 15, 2026

The 75‑plus‑year‑old, 798‑foot, fracture‑critical truss bridge on County Highway M (CTH M), spanning the Chippewa River at the Holcombe Flowage, has reached the end of its service life. As one of Wisconsin’s longest county bridges, its condition is now a serious concern: truss components are buckling, deterioration is accelerating, and the structure has a 20‑ton weight limit.

This bridge is essential to the region’s economy, mobility, and public safety. Its declining condition is already creating significant hardships:

Logging operations in the 35,000‑acre Chippewa County Forest must take longer, more costly routes.
Dairy farmers face operational disruptions as milk haulers can no longer cross the bridge with full tanks.
Tourism‑dependent businesses and resorts around the 4,320‑acre flowage struggle with limited access for supply and service vehicles.
Emergency responders and daily commuters, including school buses, experience delays and detours that affect response times and quality of life.

The 15‑mile detour for overweight vehicles drives up transportation costs and creates daily challenges for commuters and businesses that rely on this route.

To protect public safety, Chippewa County has installed strain gauges and cameras for real‑time monitoring, but these are temporary measures—not a substitute for replacement.

Recognizing the urgency, the county has already committed $918,000 for design work, with 30% completed by late 2025. This positions the project, expected to cost $15 million, to capitalize on upcoming state and federal funding opportunities. If the County had to shoulder the full cost locally, it would be unable to advance any other bridge or road projects for nearly three years.

Replacing this bridge is one of Chippewa County’s highest priorities. A long‑term solution will require coordinated investment from local, state, and federal partners to sustain key industries, ensure safe travel, and support the region’s economic vitality and quality of life.

Story updated March 2026.