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For immediate release

Contact: Tiffany Shepherd, [email protected], (414) 286-3261

City of Milwaukee to Celebrate Holton Street Bridge Reopening on July 16

MILWAUKEE – Mayor Cavalier Johnson and the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) will celebrate the completion of the Holton Street Bridge rehabilitation project with a grand reopening ceremony on Thursday, July 16, at 12 p.m. The event will take place in the center of the bridge and is open to the public.

The celebration will feature remarks from City officials and community partners, followed by a ribbon cutting. The bridge will officially reopen to people driving, walking, and biking immediately following the event.

The Holton Street Bridge has connected Milwaukee neighborhoods for well over a century. A previous viaduct was constructed at the location in 1892, and the current bridge opened in 1926. The bridge's grand reopening comes during its centennial year, making the occasion a fitting opportunity to celebrate the past, present, and future of one of Milwaukee's most recognizable river crossings.

Construction on the three-phase rehabilitation project began in 2023. The work included structural steel and concrete repairs, expansion joint replacement, painting, and other improvements designed to extend the life of the nearly 1,000-foot-long structure. The bridge carries more than 10,000 vehicles daily and serves as a vital connection between neighborhoods on both sides of the Milwaukee River.

The celebration will also include the unveiling of Milwaukee's longest mural, a nearly 1,000-foot community-painted piece designed by local artist Aisha Valentín and installed along the bridge's two-way protected bike lane.

In addition to celebrating the bridge's past and present, attendees will have an opportunity to learn about future plans for The Landing on Tannery Row, the public space beneath the bridge formerly known as Swing Park.

WHAT: Holton Street Bridge Reopening Celebration

WHEN: Thursday, July 16 at 12 p.m.

WHERE: Holton Street Bridge; Holton St. between Brady and Reservoir (Note: Prior to the event, the

street will still be closed so please plan your transportation accordingly).