{image1}Milwaukee's ongoing push toward improved architecture, pedestrian-friendly development and increased waterway access along the Milwaukee River all the way up to North Avenue doesn't just mean an improved RiverWalk and condos a-plenty.
It also spells more opportunities to access and cross the river, including new, unique bridges for non-motorized traffic. One such span already exists downtown, linking the areas around Water Street and the Bradley Center.
A new bridge, named the North Avenue Dam Pedestrian Bridge, does the same further upstream, tying together areas around Commerce Street, Caesars Park, Kane Place, and the businesses at the Jewel-Osco development on Humboldt and North.
However, residents of these areas, Brady Street, Riverwest and East Village won't be the only beneficiaries of the new bridge, as it will also link developing Milwaukee County recreation trails, the stone stairs in Caesars Park with the bike lanes and sidewalks along Commerce Street. One will even find a close connection to the Oak Leaf Trail, only a few blocks away.
"Strong connections make for strong communities," said Department of City Development Commissioner Patricia Algiers. "We're pleased we have another opportunity to connect the east and the west sides of the river, providing the pedestrian link between the East Village neighborhood and Brady Street with the Riverwest area."
{image2}The fixed-span bridge design, a winning entry striving to best balance cost and aesthetics, features a concrete deck -- rather than wood -- for smooth walking, biking and rollerblading. Of its total 325 feet, 170 will span the water. Its width and approach design allows for full access and in doing so makes Caesars Park handicapped-accessible for the first time.
The bridge's total cost -- including abutments, design, architects' fees and all -- will run about $1.3 million. Funding comes from the Beerline TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) District, which promotes connection points from neighborhoods.
The Beerline TIF also created the Booth Street stairs, the stairs at Vine Street connecting to Hubbard Street by the new Roots restaurant and the marsupial bridge that will hang below the Holton Street Viaduct (fabrication of materials is beginning, and by June construction workers will be buzzing underneath that bridge. It should be ready by Spring 2005.)
The North Avenue Dam Pedestrian Bridge is named for its location at the original point of the North Avenue Dam, constructed in 1835. Though rebuilt over the years, the North Avenue Dam gates opened in 1990 and were fully removed in 1997.
So, when will the bridge be completed?
Aside from steel pricing issues causing some scheduling problems for rail fabrication, completion of the bridge is scheduled for mid-July.
