Omro’s Fox River Bridge reopens, but WIS 21 roadwork continues through summer

Drivers in Omro can cross the Fox River Bridge in both directions again, but the larger WIS 21 project is still underway. WisDOT says the bridge reopened to two-way traffic on May 29, and the full corridor project is scheduled to continue into early November 2026.

That matters because the bridge reopening is only one step in a longer job that still runs through the Omro-to-Oshkosh corridor. WisDOT says the project is meant to repair pavement, improve safety at corridor intersections, upgrade curb ramps in Omro, replace beam guard, and improve the riding surface.

What changes next on WIS 21

The next visible phase is scheduled to begin June 22, when crews are expected to start milling and paving between WIS 116 and Leonard Point Road. WisDOT’s weekly Northeast Region update says the work is part of the active 2026 schedule, so drivers should still expect construction-related changes nearby.

The posted detour remains WIS 116 to US 45 to I-41. WisDOT also says access will be maintained for residents, businesses and emergency vehicles, but that does not mean traffic patterns are back to normal everywhere. Work-zone staging can still affect turns, slow traffic and shift which streets are easiest to use.

Why commuters and businesses should still pay attention

For commuters, the reopened bridge should make local travel across the Fox River easier, but it does not end construction headaches in the corridor. The project still includes paving and intersection work, so delays may move around rather than disappear.

Downtown businesses and other corridor businesses may still feel the effects even with the bridge back open. WisDOT says access will be maintained, but customer traffic can still change when detours, lane shifts and work zones alter how people get through town.

For now, the practical message is simple: the bridge is open again, but WIS 21 is not finished. Omro residents and anyone driving through the area should keep checking WisDOT updates, especially around the June 22 work window and any later schedule changes.

Sources

• WisDOT WIS 21 Improvements project overview
• NBC 26 report: Omro bridge reopens to all traffic