Humboldt Avenue Bridge Update

Construction on the Humboldt Avenue Bridge continues, with the bridge over the Milwaukee River and the ramp providing access to Riverboat Road expected to be completed in December 2009.

The entire project consists of reconstruction of the bridge over the Milwaukee River, the bridge over Riverboat Road, the ramp providing access to Riverboat Road, six adjacent retaining walls, pavement approaches and utility alterations. The bridge over Riverboat Road is expected to be completed in June 2010.

The current status of the construction is as follows:

1. Both bridges and all retaining walls have been removed.
2. The north and south abutment footings for the Riverboat Road Bridge are completed.
3. The north abutment wall for the Riverboat Road Bridge is completed.
4. The south abutment footing and wall for the River Bridge are completed.
5. The pier foundation and the shaft of the pier in the waterway for the River Bridge are completed.

While the project is moving forward, it has encountered several challenges since it began last October. These include:

1. Soil conditions presented greater obstructions than expected requiring a significant redesign of the bridge foundation.
2. Current utility locations at the river crossings were different than as shown on utility plans and required extensive field locating to avoid disruption of major utility services.
3. Project sequencing was revised due to delays in the foundation construction encountered at the south Riverboat Road abutment. The Milwaukee River Bridge will now be completed first, followed by the Riverboat Bridge.
4. The retaining walls between the two bridges have been redesigned to prevent anticipated difficulties in the foundation system and will result in a cost savings to the project.

During construction, the City has and will continue to make all reasonable attempts to accommodate the needs of residents and businesses affected and to expedite the work as efficiently as possible to maintain expected completion dates.

1. The City has placed three 8 foot by 4 foot "Open for Business" A-frame signs with the logos of the businesses on North Avenue and Humboldt; Water Street and Brady and Brady Street and Humboldt.
2. Additional directional signage has been provided for Bayou Cajun Restaurant & Lounge and In vivo Well ness south on Humboldt and Commerce Street.
3. The contractor has provided two crews to work on both the south side and north side of the river bridge to expedite the construction and try to gain some of the time lost.
4. The River Bridge girders are scheduled to be installed by the end of September 2009.
5. After girder installation the City and the Contractor will evaluate the schedule. Extended work hours will be considered if needed to meet the river bridge opening date.
6. Once the river bridge and the ramp to Riverboat Road is completed they will be opened to traffic and construction on the bridge over Riverboat Road will proceed. At this time Riverboat Road directly under the bridge will be closed to traffic.

Once completed, the Humboldt bridges will be wider, safer, and a major benefit to the entire City of Milwaukee.