Northbound Hwy 45 bridge over I94 closed until Memorial Day

[DatHoser]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/89271577.html

 

 

My first comment when I found out: "Just how important was that southbound 94 construction?"

 

 

(fixed dead link --1992)

[Bucky370]

How valuable was the 38m they spent in 2005 to do the engineer plans to re-work the zoo interchange, than have Tom Barrett and Waukesha county bicker over the plans.

[Bucky370]

Better yet, Tom Barrett wrote a letter about the zoo interchange in 2005

 

http://www.scottwalker.org/sites/default/files/Barrett%20Zoo%20Interchange%20-%20Lack%20of%20Leadership.pdf

 

I agree with his point in most of the letter as far as agreeing to the bigger picture plan. But Barrett really makes a mistake in the last paragraph, obviously he had bad info. But it's his responsiblity to make something happen since 2005, and nothing has. Now because of his advisors and his choices, were going to have to live with the errors of his way.

[Godspeed]

But it's his responsiblity to make something happen since 2005, and nothing has. Now because of his advisors and his choices, were going to have to live with the errors of his way.

 

Tom Barrett is the mayor of Milwaukee. US45 is a federal highway. I'm not making the connection here. Madison has tuned out Milwaukee for years. No urging one way or the other is going to make much of a difference. If Barrett's responsible for this, then so is the executive of the county the interchange runs through.

[hawing]

I'm glad the original post was made (as it's how I learned of the bridge closure, since I don't live in Milwaukee), but let's please leave politics out of this thread. Thanks.

[RobertR]

On the bright side, at least inspections caught the problem before something like the Hoan happened. Or the Minneapolis bridge collapse.

 

And, non-partisan, it's why it's probably a good idea to let engineers drive prioritizing projects instead of politicians bringing home the bacon for their districts. I'm of the opinion that most public works "failures" are really political failures instead of engineering failures. Politicians promise too much. They fail to explain what a project will really accomplish and what it won't. Or they put their own pet projects ahead.

 

And it's partly a failure on engineers. When you have lawyers, business men, and activists running for public office, of course the amount of legislators with in depth knowledge of the practicalities of transportation and infrastructure is going to be low.

 

Robert

[owbc]

I think this article from 2005 sums up the problem. The zoo interchange project and the stadium interchange project were both going to destroy a number of homes, which resulted in opposition from neighborhood associations. The I-94 expansion to Illinois did not present the same political roadblocks, so they went ahead with it instead, without considering that the bridges have a expiration date. Now, they are wasting money on new bridges that they are going to tear down in 5 years when the whole interchange is rebuilt.

 

I suspect this will also have an indirect impact on stadium traffic for Brewers games, but it is hard to quantify at this point.

[Bucky370]

"I'm glad the original post was made (as it's how I learned of the bridge closure, since I don't live in Milwaukee), but let's please leave politics out of this thread. Thanks."

 

hawing Sorry to disagree, but since the politicians make these kind of decisions, it is a political issue. But ignoring the names at hand maybe was the better direction to make you happy. OUR LOCAL and STATE politicians whoever they may be, had the option to rebuild I94 to the south and illinois or rebuild the zoo interchange. They at this point chose incorrectly. But mainly chose incorrectly because they couldn't decide on the correct re-engineering ideas. Widening I94 between the zoo and downtown milwaukee would have been the most progresive and forward thinking idea. The hold up is their are some consequences, moving part of a cemetary, displacing some homes etc etc. These were the same concerns back when the entire interstate system was built in the 50's. I have a collection of Milwaukee Journal papers that my parents saved from the Milwaukee Brave World Series years. Last year looking thru them I came across the debate of tearing down parts of neighborhoods for the freeways, and they were very compelling but in the end they made the correct progressive decision. Nobody would argue at this point that adding I-43 was a bad idea. I still think moving I-94 to 4 lanes would be worth the displacement especially around the zoo interchange.

[ewizabeff]

Bucky, I believe Hawing was referring to the fact that the Fan Forum Etiquette doesn't allow us to discuss politics on Brewerfan. That's what Brewerfan Political Scene is for. There's a lively discussion about this topic over there, but you know that b/c you're posting in that thread.

edit: fixed link

[Bucky370]

Etiqutte well understoon now, but I am by far the first not to understand it in an off topic board.

[1992casey]

The 2004 fall elections were a moderating nightmare. Brian briefly tried creating a separate political forum, and that didn't make things any better. At that point, political discussion was prohibited here, and Toby created BPS to pick up the slack. Note that BPS isn't affiliated with Brewerfan. Rather, it's considered a recommended destination.

[bork]

I suspect this will also have an indirect impact on stadium traffic for Brewers games, but it is hard to quantify at this point.

Well I'm certainly planning on working from home on Friday April 23rd, when all the Chicago fans descend on Milwaukee.

 

[Bucky370]

1992casey, I did not regularly visit this board in 2004, let alone the off topic forum. Not making excuses, but it seemed like a few of the topics the last few months probably were not appropriate for this forum than and should have been stopped since they were purely political issues, even if they weren't talking about politicians. Others have taken particular stances that are purely going along their particular political party. No offense to this board, but well understood at this point.

 

I am fortunate that I don't drive 45 north bound hardly at all. Years ago I did every day, but even than their were always bottlenecks. I can't imagine how bad it's going to be for those out of downtown west on 94.

[bork]

The options for getting from the SW to downtown during rush hour really stink now. I go from Muskego to downtown for work. The Mitchell Interchange is a mess now with construction and lane closures. 894 East to 94/43 North has been getting way backed up over the past couple weeks and I imagine it will be a lot worse starting Monday as more people take that way to avoid the zoo.

 

I guess I'll be getting to know Forest Home real well over the next few months.

[Patrick425]

So far (Friday night and this morning) I have not noticed any additional delays east or west bound 94 through the interchange. In fact Friday night, which is usually the worst traffic night of the week, was better than most Friday nights. There were no delays at all this morning. I think a lot of people are seeking out alternate routes as I did not notice a whole lot of cars getting off on 84th street (the detour route).

 

Also, brought this up in the thread on the political board, but I found it really odd how the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel found it necessary to plaster all over the front page of the paper on Saturday directions on how to get to State Fair park. Why? None of the routes to State Fair are affected by this situation. They are all still the same. Why not post directions on how to get to Southridge Mall while your at it?

[bork]

This morning's commute sucked. Everyone ended up taking 894 East to 94/43 North. Traffic was backed up solid from downtown, through the Mitchell Interchange and west to about 60th st. I'm not doing that again. People who went through the zoo detour were probably better off.

 

And this was probably a lighter morning, with some people off for spring break. I can only imagine what it will be like in a few weeks, when everyone is back.

[Patrick425]

bork[/b]]And this was probably a lighter morning, with some people off for spring break. I can only imagine what it will be like in a few weeks, when everyone is back.

It won't be completed in a couple of weeks, but I'm going to hazard a guess and say that this bridge is place weeks before the stated Memorial Day date. I'm going to put the over/under somewhere around May 10.

 

 

[1992casey]

Not making excuses, but it seemed like a few of the topics the last few months probably were not appropriate for this forum than and should have been stopped since they were purely political issues, even if they weren't talking about politicians.

 

There really isn't a fine line in the sand as far as what's political and what isn't. If people are dancing around the political line and still playing nice, the mods will likely allow the topic to continue.

 

In this case, there weren't any posts that were problematic (yet). But it did make sense to issue some preemptive direction as the potential for someone dropping a nuclear bomb is certainly present.

 

bork, if you're coming in from Muskego, I'd recommend Loomis Road over Forest Home. Loomis has less traffic, fewer lights, and a higher speed limit. From Loomis, I'd be tempted to try taking 43rd Street to Canal Street and going in that way. If that doesn't work, I'd check out 35th or 27th.

 

Patrick425, getting to Southridge from the northern part of the county probably isn't an issue, but getting home would be. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Unfortunately, north-south alternative routes in the Milwaukee area all tend to suck, each in its own unique way. If you're going east or west, there are lots of good alternatives.

[Patrick425]

1992casey[/b]]Patrick425, getting to Southridge from the northern part of the county probably isn't an issue, but getting home would be. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Unfortunately, north-south alternative routes in the Milwaukee area all tend to suck, each in its own unique way. If you're going east or west, there are lots of good alternatives.

Sorry Casey, I couldn't disagree with you more about good East/West alternatives to and from Downtown, especially if you live as far west as Waukesha or Pewaukee. If there are good alternatives, I would like to know what they are. If they involve Blumound or Greenfield, my experience over the last 20 years of working downtown is that you might as well just stay on the freeway. The only one I have ever used (going West) is 894 to 43, but that takes you pretty far out of the way, especially if you live in Pewaukee or near I94 in Waukesha.

 

At least if you live South of Milwaukee, you can use 794 (depending on how far south you need to go).

[sgtcluels]

I had brewing school up at Northern Brewer yesterday at 11am. Traffic on Hwy 100 around there was much much higher as people try to avoid the traffic on 45 north.

 

It's going to be horrible for anyone trying to use 45 south of 94.

[DatHoser]

I've been unable to post until now to update my original intent. My comment was not intended to spark any political debate. It was intended to convey my dismay from years ago when the decision was made to prioritize the N/S 94 corridor over the zoo. For those who need to keep score at home, there's plenty of blame to go around. My hope is that this will kick things in to gear to prevent this from happening again without all the finger pointing. I guess I still believe in the Easter bunny http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Back on target. It's starting to look like taking Hwy 100 is worse than the actual freeway, but I'm going on small sample size. Maybe Moorland would be a better option for a straight north-south route.

 

I've heard rumblings that this may be done far sooner than the Memorial Day target. Has anyone else heard anything on this?

[bork]

bork, if you're coming in from Muskego, I'd recommend Loomis Road over Forest Home. Loomis has less traffic, fewer lights, and a higher speed limit. From Loomis, I'd be tempted to try taking 43rd Street to Canal Street and going in that way. If that doesn't work, I'd check out 35th or 27th.

I'm right off Janesville Rd, which turns into Forest Home. Loomis is more out of the way. Plus, Loomis is scheduled to be resurfaced from hwy 100 to 27th starting in a couple weeks.

 

Either one isn't too bad until you get to 27th St. Then your options are more limited.

 

[Patrick425]

1992casey[/b]]bork, if you're coming in from Muskego, I'd recommend Loomis Road over Forest Home. Loomis has less traffic, fewer lights, and a higher speed limit. From Loomis, I'd be tempted to try taking 43rd Street to Canal Street and going in that way. If that doesn't work, I'd check out 35th or 27th.

Bork..are you going from Muskego to downtown? I was assuming you were going north (toward Menomonee Falls or somewhere up there). If you are going downtown, why would you ever go through the Zoo interchange from Muskego (even without the current headaches)?? Why not just take 894 through the Mitchell Interchange?

 

Of course..I'm not familiar with the current state of the Mitchell interchange. I know there is some construction down there. Is the ramp from East to North closed?

 

 

[bork]

Bork..are you going from Muskego to downtown? I was assuming you were going north (toward Menomonee Falls or somewhere up there). If you are going downtown, why would you ever go through the Zoo interchange from Muskego (even without the current headaches)?? Why not just take 894 through the Mitchell Interchange?

The Mitchell Interchange and the Plainfield curve are under heavy construction now as part of the I-94 rebuild. A couple week ago, they closed some lanes and there is just the left lane going from 894 East to 94/43 North, instead of 2 lanes going North. So it had been backing up for a few miles over the past couple weeks. Now with the Zoo detour, a lot more cars are going through the Mitchell Interchange, to avoid the zoo, making traffic even worse. It's basically a parking lot starting at 60th St.

[thebruce44]

1992casey, I did not regularly visit this board in 2004, let alone the off topic forum. Not making excuses, but it seemed like a few of the topics the last few months probably were not appropriate for this forum than and should have been stopped since they were purely political issues, even if they weren't talking about politicians. Others have taken particular stances that are purely going along their particular political party. No offense to this board, but well understood at this point.

 

I am fortunate that I don't drive 45 north bound hardly at all. Years ago I did every day, but even than their were always bottlenecks. I can't imagine how bad it's going to be for those out of downtown west on 94.

You really should have picked up on it from the High Speed Rail thread.