New Bridge Completes River’s Edge Bike Trail On Wausau’s East Side

The city of Wausau has completed a major portion of a bike trail that has been in the works for more than 30 years.

A handful of onlookers braved subzero temperatures Tuesday as a crane lowered an 80-foot-long bridge onto its moorings, allowing the River’s Edge Trail to cross a creek along the east side of the Wisconsin River.

The completion of the bicycle and hiking trail was a long time coming, said Wausau Parks Director Bill Duncanson.

“The city of Wausau in the early 1980s created the Rivers Edge Commission to create a rivers edge trail in the central part of Wausau, and this bridge completes the trail on the east side of Wausau.”

Duncanson said for the first time people will be able to travel safely across the Wausau without driving a car.

“What the trail offers is an opportunity to move through the city and along the river away from vehicles,” Duncanson said. “It’s a simpler, easier, safer way to travel.”

The completion of the trail was made possible because of $1 million donation from the family of Lawrence and Jane Sternberg.