The State Historic Preservation Office has reviewed an additional "draft rehabilitation concept" for the Highway 43 bridge project.  This concept envisions a new two lane bridge built next to the existing bridge.  The agency says that scenario, which would see the current bridge rehabbed and complemented by a second girder-type bridge running parallel, "makes a great deal of sense."

SHPO even says shifting the sidewalk to a new bridge...and removing the existing cantilevered walkway...would make the existing bridge even more historically accurate. 

This is just one of four potential rehab plans that MnDOT is considering for the bridge.  But Winona city officials have been lobbying for a second two lane bridge downtown.  That it has been reviewed by preservation officials and found viable should be a positive for the city's support for a two bridge option.  Long term traffic projections would justify a four lane crossing, according to MnDOT projections.

SHPO's remarks came in an August 15th letter to MnDOT's Kristen Zschumler.