City and University Agree to Extend the Riverfront Trail and Replace the Millrace Footbridge

The Porter Falls City Council voted 7–0 Tuesday night to approve a joint agreement with UW–Porter Falls to extend the Riverfront Trail and replace the 1964 footbridge over the Millrace. The $4.6 million project is the largest shared investment between the city and the university in more than twenty years.

What gets built

• 1.3 miles of new trail along the Porter River from Millwright Stadium to Depot Plaza, closing the gap that now sends walkers onto Mill Street’s narrow shoulder
• A new Millrace footbridge, 12 feet wide with gentle grades, replacing the current stair-and-ramp crossing that does not meet accessibility standards
• Trail lighting on the full campus-to-downtown route, with fixtures shielded to limit light on the water
• An accessible fishing platform below the falls, based on a design by a Porter senior design team
• Two shoreline restoration areas planted with native species to slow erosion at the river bend

Who pays

The city will contribute $1.84 million from its capital budget, a state recreational trails grant covers $1.61 million, and the university will pay $1.15 million, mostly from a facilities fund set aside in the campus master plan. The university will maintain the campus section of the trail; the city maintains the rest.

“Half the people on that trail every morning are students, and half are neighbors. It was always one path. Now it will look like one.”

— Mayor Gail Brueggen, City of Porter Falls

“Our students walk downtown every day, and in the winter they walk it in the dark. This is the most practical safety improvement we could make, and it happens to be beautiful.”

— Dr. Elaine Vandehey, chancellor

Design will be finalized this winter with two public open houses; construction is expected to run from April 2027 to fall 2028, with the existing trail staying open throughout. The project was first proposed through the Town–Gown Council in 2023. For how to use the riverfront safely today, see the Millrace and Porter River and the Depot District student guide.

Contact: Office of University Communications, news@uwporterfalls.edu