Minn., Wis. to reimburse Winona for ferry costs

Winona, Minn. (AP) — The transportation departments of Minnesota and Wisconsin are reimbursing Winona for setting up a ferry service during the recent interstate bridge closure.

Winona's costs total more than $200,000.

Minnesota's Department of Transportation will likely cover more than $190,000 of that. MnDOT will cover the city's cost to rent ferry boats, expand bus routes within city limits and improve the city dock to accommodate thousands of commuters.

The Wisconsin DOT is expected to contribute an additional $20,000 for buses that shuttled commuters from Latsch Island to five locations in Wisconsin earlier this month.

MnDOT reopened the bridge to car and light-truck traffic on June 14. The bridge was closed for 11 days after inspectors found corroded gusset plates.

But it's not over yet. Heavy trucks and pedestrians will remain barred from the bridge until repairs are completed later this summer.

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Information from: Winona Daily News, http://www.winonadailynews.com