WEST GRANGE AVENUE BRIDGE
OVER CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILROAD
REHABILITATION PROJECT

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

We aim to provide construction updates every two weeks throughout the duration of the project. Updates will be posted here and emailed to those who have signed up through the project website. All work is weather dependent and subject to change.

Start Date: March 14, 2022
Anticipated Completion: Mid-November 2022

The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), has completed the majority of work for the West Grange Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project. The project area is now fully reopened to traffic.

The following work took place in 2022:

• Replaced the concrete bridge deck and roadway approach
• Repaired the bridge piers and abutments
• Reconstructed the existing sidewalk and curb and gutter

The following work is scheduled to resume in early spring 2023:

• Minor restoration and landscaping work
• Girder painting and installation of new permanent railings on the bridge
• Please note that all work is weather dependent and subject to change

The project team thanks you for your patience and cooperation throughout this project!

NOVEMBER

• The majority of work on the West Grange Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project is scheduled to be complete and the roadway is anticipated to be fully open to traffic by early December.
• Curb and gutter installation and restoration for mainline and the median, along with sidewalk installation on the south side of the bridge began last week and will continue into this week. Crews will also work to complete pavement markings, street lighting installation, and final restoration/landscaping this week.
• Girder painting, installation of new permanent railings on the bridge parapets, and some minor restoration/landscaping work is scheduled to occur in spring 2023.
• All work is weather dependent and subject to change.

OCTOBER

• Crews completed the pavement removal and grading of the roadway approaches and sidewalk last week in preparation for concrete paving operations. New roadway pavement, sidewalk, and curb and gutter will be poured over the next two weeks. Asphalt paving behind the approaches is scheduled to take place following concrete paving operations. Posted 10/31/22
• The concrete deck on the south half of West Grange Avenue bridge was poured last week. While the concrete deck is curing this week, a crew will install the sidewalk conduit and tie the rebar to pour the new sidewalk on the bridge. The bridge parapet on the south side is anticipated to be poured during the week of October 16th. Posted 10/3/22

SEPTEMBER

• The removal and replacement of bearings started last week and continues into this week. The painting operation of the top flanges and beam ends is finished. The contractor plans to pour both the east and west wing walls on the south side of West Grange Avenue Bridge before the end of this week. Over the next week, the contractor will work on the deck grades, grading joists and overhangs. Deck preparation including rebar installation will take place through the end of the month. Posted 9/7/22

AUGUST

• The second stage of construction for the West Grange Avenue Bridge rehab project is well under way with the removal of the southside bridge deck. Structure excavation and removal of the backwalls will continue into next week. Prep work for painting the beam ends is anticipated toward the end of the month. The removal and replacement of bearings is anticipated after Labor Day weekend. Posted 8/25/22
   
• Stage 1 of construction (north side) of the West Grange Avenue bridge has been completed. While the contractor reconfigures the pavement markings and temporary barrier wall for the next stage, there will be a temporary traffic pattern on Wednesday, August 10th, where one lane on traffic will be maintained on each respective side. The second stage of construction will start Thursday, August 11th with one lane of traffic in each direction moved to the newly constructed bridge deck on the north side of West Grange Avenue. The contractor will begin to remove the bridge deck and approach span on the south side of the bridge. Structural excavation will take place over the next several weeks. Posted 8/8/22

JULY

• The concrete deck on the north half of West Grange Avenue bridge was poured on July 12th. Currently, a crew is installing the sidewalk conduit and tying the rebar to pour the new sidewalk on the bridge by the end of this week. The bridge parapet on the north side is anticipated to built by early August. Pavement removal of the roadway approaches have started, and will be graded. New roadway pavement, curb, gutter and sidewalk for Stage 1 of construction will be poured over the next two weeks. Posted 7/21/22
   
• The concrete pour for the bridge deck is scheduled for July 12th and it will take a week for the concrete to cure. The contractor will waterproof and dampproof the abutment backwalls during the cure time. In addition, a crew will finish forming and pouring concrete for the new sidewalk on the north side of the bridge during the week of July 18th. Construction of the bridge parapet will follow. Posted 7/8/22

JUNE

• Both east and west wing walls on the north side of West Grange Avenue Bridge were poured this week. Grouting the backwall and abutment beam seats will be completed this week as well. The contractor is working on the deck grades, grading joists and overhangs. Deck preparation including rebar installation will take place through the end of the month. The concrete deck pour on the north half of the bridge is anticipated for early July. Concrete surface repairs are ongoing. Posted 6/23/22
   
• The painting of the top flange has been completed. The west backwall excavation and removal on the north side of West Grange Avenue bridge will be done early next week. The contractor will then grout the backwall and abutment beam seats. Concrete surface repairs on the existing bridge piers will continue through mid-June. Posted 6/3/22

MAY

• The west backwall excavation and removal on the north side of West Grange Avenue bridge will continue through the end of May. Concrete surface repairs on the existing bridge piers will start next week and take place through the first week of June. The removal and replacement of bearings, and painting operation for the top flange will follow. Posted 5/19/22
   
• The removal of the west approach span and backwall started the week of May 2nd and will continue over the next two weeks. Removal and replacement of bearings will follow after structure excavation. Prep work for painting the top flange is anticipated toward the end of May. Posted 5/6/22

APRIL

• The contractor has started to remove the east approach span, east backwall, and parapet and overhang on the north side of W. Grange Ave. bridge. Removals of the bridge deck, west approach span, and backwall will continue into early May. For businesses along South 9th Street, the intersection of S. 9th St. and W. Grange Ave. has been opened to use. Please route your trucking from W. Grange Ave. to S. 9th St., or use S. 9th St. - W. Edgerton Ave. - S. 6th St. Trucking along residential side streets is not allowed. Posted 4/21/22 

• The asphalt median crossovers have been completed, and traffic control will be switched to stage 1 of construction as of April 6th. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained on the south side of West Grange Avenue. The contractor will begin to remove the bridge deck and east approach span on the north side of the bridge. Structural excavation will take place over the next several weeks. Posted 4/6/22

MARCH 

• Starting March 24th, West Grange Avenue will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction. The contractor for the bridge rehab project will begin clearing and grubbing the site, and setting up erosion control. Median crossovers will be prepped next week for asphalt patch work in early April. Once completed, we will move traffic into stage 1, one lane of traffic in each direction on the south side of the street. Bridge removal work will follow. Posted 3/24/22

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSTRUCTION

Start Date: March 14, 2022
Anticipated Completion: Mid-November 2022

TRAFFIC STAGING
The project will be split into two major stages to minimize construction impacts for residents, businesses, and the traveling public.

Stage 1: The north side of the bridge is closed for construction. West Grange Avenue will have one lane of traffic in each direction and maintain pedestrian access on the south side. 

Stage 2: The south side of the bridge is closed for construction. West Grange Avenue will have one lane of traffic in each direction and maintain pedestrian access on the north side.  

Turning movements will be restricted at the intersection of South 9th Street and West Grange Avenue

• To access S. 9th St., motorists should take S. 6th St. - W. Edgerton Ave. - S. 9th St. 

Click here to view the traffic control plans in more detail 

DRIVEWAY ACCESS
Access to residential and commercial driveways will remain open. 

PARKING INFORMATION
On-street parking will be restricted on West Grange Avenue between South 13th Street to a point west of South 6th Street

BUS ROUTE
There are no impacts to Milwaukee County Transit Service. 

CONSTRUCTION HOURS
Work is allowed Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

OVERVIEW

The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works and State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation are conducting a rehabilitation project to improve the West Grange Avenue Bridge Over the Canadian Pacific Railroad, which was built in 1976. Around 5,670 vehicles travel on this local roadway between South 9th Street and South 13th Street per day. The work will consist of replacing the concrete deck and roadway approach, repairing the bridge piers and abutments, refurbishing steel components and installing a new railing.

FUNDING

Estimated cost of the project is $2 to 2.5 million. Federal aid will pay for 80% of the cost and the City will pay for the remaining 20%. No assessments to property owners are currently anticipated as part of this project. 

MAP

COMMUNITY MEETINGS & DOCUMENTS

A traditional Public Information Meeting was not held due to the potential health risks associated with COVID-19. Surrounding property owners were notified of the project through a mailing with comment forms.

• Final Design Plans 
• Preliminary Design Exhibits
• Mailer 
• Comment Form - Printable version
• Project Map
• FAQ

ONLINE COMMENTS 

Thank you for your input and suggestions during the design phase of this project. The public comment period was open from 10/08/20 to 7/14/21. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Theresa Kubista, Project Manager, at [email protected] or 414-286-2463. 

PROJECT CONTACTS 

Mark Zapp, WisDOT Construction Project Manager
[email protected]
414-750-2645

Will Gilbert, P.E., AECOM - Construction Supervisor
[email protected]
608-239-0904