For the Gazette

STEVENS POINT – The City of Stevens Point and the Friends of the Plover River Crossing Trail recently announced that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has awarded the city of Stevens Point with a $1.47 million grant to be used for the Plover River Crossing trail.

The grant award is part of the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant. The TAP Grant award for Stevens Point was included in the 2022-26 grant cycle.

 “This project is something that will benefit the whole area, not just Stevens Point. People have been asking about a crossing for the better part of 20 years and seeing everyone pull together when this opportunity came up is nothing short of inspiring,” said Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza.

Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in 2024. Anticipated completion is in 2025.

“The Plover River Crossing will be a beautiful one-third-mile trail bridging the Plover River and extending through wetland and prairie habitats to connect neighborhoods on the east and west sides of Interstate 39 and the river,” said Steve Menzel, of the Friends steering committee. “It is a wonderful example of how leaders from the City of Stevens Point and the Town of Hull, local property owners, and private citizens and donors have all come together to build a path that will truly unify our community.”

“The Plover River Crossing trail will be Stevens Point’s first designated pedestrian bridge and trail crossing over the Plover River. The project will improve accessibility and connect neighborhoods, offering east side residents north of Highway 10 the first and only safe and convenient connection to the award-winning Green Circle Trail. In addition, the trail will offer west side residents a safe pedestrian/bike route to two major youth recreational soccer and hockey complexes, shopping, restaurants and the Holiday Inn Convention Center,” a city release stated.
“The TAP grant award requires a 20 percent local match and a fund has been established in the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin to accept gifts to this cause. Pledges totaling about $300,000 have already been received toward a goal of $500,000.”

For more information, visit  https://cfcwi.org, or contact Steve Menzel at 715-340-7228 or [email protected].