On one hand, I'm glad that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is inspecting our bridges to make sure that they are structurally sound and commuters remain as safe as possible.
On the other hand...
When WisDOT announced plans to rebuild three bridge structures in the Zoo Interchange, I cringed a bit. According to a press release, three bridges show significant deterioration and will be rebuilt as soon as possible. They are:
- Northbound I-894/US 45 through the interchange to north US 45
- Southbound US 45 to the eastbound I-94 connector ramp
- Northbound I-894/US 45 to the westbound I-94 ramp
"Safety of the motoring public is our top priority," WisDOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi said in a release. WisDOT hopes to see the bridge work completed by Memorial Day weekend.
"The Zoo Interchange is the busiest interchange in the state of Wisconsin. We must place a high priority on keeping travelers safe, commerce flowing and minimizing the impacts of construction on neighboring communities," Busalacchi said.
The bridges were built in 1963. The Zoo Interchange -- which connects I-94, I-894 and US 45 -- sees more than 350,000 vehicles per day.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
