A Wisconsin city wants to keep its bridges closed to boats, to ease car traffic

The US Coast Guard is temporarily changing the operating schedule for two drawbridges over the Manitowoc River in Wisconsin. This means the bridges will open less often for boats, allowing cars to cross more freely.

Drawbridges are a constant point of tension between river traffic and road traffic. Historically, federal rules prioritize boats, forcing bridges to open on demand. This temporary change, if made permanent, would shift that priority to cars, giving cities more control over their downtown traffic flow. It could set a precedent for other cities with similar congestion issues.