OSHKOSH (NBC 26) — Repairs for the Oregon/Jackson Street Bridge in downtown Oshkosh have been extended to September, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Bureau of Structures (BOS).
WisDOT said Thursday more damage was discovered inside a failed gearbox, prompting the nine-week repair estimate to be extended to 13 weeks. Repairs are now expected to finish by September 30, 2022.
The bridge is currently closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic after a bridge inspector discovered damaged gear teeth in the gearbox on the south leaf span during a routine inspection back in May.
WisDOT says Regal/Rexnord, the company manufacturing the new gears and refurbishing the gearbox, recently identified additional damage in the gearbox that extends the manufacturing process to build the additional parts.
According to a statement from WisDOT, Regal/Rexnord reviewed the excessive wear on the gears and believe a corrupt bearing caused instability in the gearbox resulting in the gear wear. WisDOT investigated gear components on similar bridges and found no issues with gear wear.
The bridge will remain closed to vehicles and pedestrian traffic during repairs. Repairs may also affect the passage of marine traffic for brief periods.
