State Considering Replacing Hoan Bridge With Less Costly Alternative

Replace the Hoan Bridge with less expensive lift bridges at street level: an excellent idea under study at the state Department of Transportation.

The Milwaukee Business Journal was first out with the story, here, my own sources confirm it, and WTMJ-TV4's Tom Murray got it on the air Friday:

State officials are considering replacing the aging Hoan Bridge that spans Lake Michigan past the Summerfest grounds and Port of Milwaukee to Bayview with less expensive lift or draw bridges.

The Hoan is nearing the end of its useful life - - I was on it Monday morning, and its pavement is a mess. Plus, the bridge has already had major structural problems (a few years ago one section suddenly dipped, was dynamited out, then replaced).

As iconic as it is at the city's lakefront, replacing the overly-tall and wide structure with another hugely-engineered facility will be hard to justify financially.

Land for development could be opened up with a different bridge configuration, so it looks like a win for state taxpayers and the City of Milwaukee.

Expect opposition from some commuters, but should taxpayers around the state be billed to pay for The Hoan II, when alternatives are available?
State and city engineers can accommodate commuters, the harbor, and Port facilities; motorists already have the High Rise Bridge just to the west, plus routes on city streets, the Sixth Street Bridge and other travel options.

Carefully and efficiently, let's move this issue forward.

And while we're at it, let's get Howard and Layton Avenues near the airport repaired. For people coming into the area from the airport, the potholes and bumpy pavement are hardly welcoming, and it's been this way for too long.