Downtown Eau Claire's High Bridge became a pedestrian bridge in 2015. (Photo by Andrea Paulseth)

An effort to restore and preserve one of Eau Claire’s oldest and most iconic structures has received a prestigious award from the Wisconsin Historical Society. On Friday, Oct. 13, representatives from the City of Eau Claire received the Historic Preservation Award for the efforts and work done to protect the High Bridge over the Chippewa River.

The High Bridge is the city’s oldest railroad bridge. In 2015, it was renovated into a pedestrian bridge and in 2016, the Eau Claire Landmarks Commission declared it a local landmark. In the early summer of 2021 the bridge was closed because of damage to a railing brought about by a tree limb. After closer examination, it appeared that even more work needed to be done because of damage to one of the stone piers supporting the bridge. That July, the Eau Claire City Council unanimously approved work to stabilize and save the bridge, rather than replace it. Currently, the High Bridge is awaiting approval after submitting paperwork to the National Register of Historical Places.

A causeway was built into the Chippewa River to reach the bridge's pilings in the summer of 2021. (Photo by Tina Ecker)

A large part of the $3.4 million project included keeping sustainability and animal habitat in mind. A causeway was initially needed and served as a construction platform. The causeway was made of clean, washed trap rock in order to reduce the river’s silt pollution. All the materials used in the causeway were salvaged and reused. The use of this clean rock helped to protect downstream fisheries.

This forethought and environmentally conscious approach helped the hard-working teams who restored the bridge win the Historic Preservation Award from the Wisconsin Historical Society from Madison. Deputy City Manager David Solberg accepted the award on behalf of the city.

“This is an exemplary example of historic preservation and collaboration of ordinary citizens, historic preservation professionals, municipal staff, and elected officials,” the historic society said of the honor.

The High Bridge was built in 1881 to carry what was then known as the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, & Omaha Railroad over the Chippewa River. The structure, supported by an iron lattice structure, is 80 feet above the river’s normal level, thus the “High Bridge” nickname. It’s frequently used by pedestrians and bicyclists, and is part of the Chippewa River Trolley Co.’s signature tour of Eau Claire.

Photo by Sheng Yang