Washington Park Bridges

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Project Update 08.20.25

Additional delays have pushed back final completion of the lagoon bridges. A new schedule has been provided by the bridge contractor. If contractors stay on schedule, the bridges should be substantially complete and reopened by the end of September.

Project Update 06.30.25

After additional delay, work to complete work on the park lagoon bridges has resumed. Final work to install stone retaining structures, new path lighting and asphalt paths is underway. Site restoration will occur once these elements are complete, and it is anticipated the bridges should be back open for use by the end of July 2025.

Project Update 08.02.24

An unexpected increase in the lagoon water level from substantial early season rainfall resulted in the need to install sheet pile coffer dams to safely de-water work areas as needed to perform excavations and construct concrete footings and abutments for the bridges. Installing the coffer dams was a significant work item. This delayed work on the bridge structures by several weeks. At this time, it is estimated substantial completion of the new bridges will not occur until spring 2025, rather than late September 2024.

Project Update 05.06.24

Work on replacing the Washington Park lagoon bridges is scheduled to begin May 13, 2024. Placement of project fencing, removing existing hazardous trees, and clearing vegetation to allow equipment to access areas needed for construction will occur in the first week of the project. The bridges will be unavailable for use during the project. Park users should also be aware of increased construction traffic in the park along access points to the north and south bridges (see construction access routes and staging areas pages in the Documents link below).

Project Update 09.20.23

Funding to construct the new bridges was approved in the Milwaukee County 2023 capital budget. The project team is now working to complete design and construction documents for bidding and construction of the new bridges.

Scope of Work: 2021-2023

Funding for the design phase of the project to repair or replace the Washington Park lagoon bridges was approved in 2021. Project consultants first completed an in-depth report of the existing bridges. This study included a comprehensive review of bridge history, construction methods, current conditions including engineering analysis, load rating analysis, and alternatives (including the recommended alternative) for restoration or replacement. See link to download the report on the right side of this page.

After initial analysis, the first public meeting was held in December 2021 to present possible options for repair or replacement; four alternatives were presented. Results of the public meeting were considered in selecting rehabilitation or design options for replacement of the bridges. After additional analysis and study, new concrete structures were chosen as the best option.

A second Public Information Meeting to review progress and design recommendations for the project took place on January 4, 2023. The public was presented with the PowerPoint presentation found on the right side of the page under "Documents", and renderings of the proposed bridge design (below) were also shared. As detailed in the PowerPoint presentation, the recommendation is to replace the existing bridges with new, concrete structures similar to those in the rendered images.

Timeline – 2023 to 2024

The proposed timeline for completing the project is as follows:

  • Complete final plans and construction documents; advertise for bidding: December 2023 – January 2024
  • Begin construction: May 13, 2024
  • Substantial completion of project: September 27, 2024
  • Site restoration work may carry over into spring of 2025

Project Update 08.20.25

Additional delays have pushed back final completion of the lagoon bridges. A new schedule has been provided by the bridge contractor. If contractors stay on schedule, the bridges should be substantially complete and reopened by the end of September.

Project Update 06.30.25

After additional delay, work to complete work on the park lagoon bridges has resumed. Final work to install stone retaining structures, new path lighting and asphalt paths is underway. Site restoration will occur once these elements are complete, and it is anticipated the bridges should be back open for use by the end of July 2025.

Project Update 08.02.24

An unexpected increase in the lagoon water level from substantial early season rainfall resulted in the need to install sheet pile coffer dams to safely de-water work areas as needed to perform excavations and construct concrete footings and abutments for the bridges. Installing the coffer dams was a significant work item. This delayed work on the bridge structures by several weeks. At this time, it is estimated substantial completion of the new bridges will not occur until spring 2025, rather than late September 2024.

Project Update 05.06.24

Work on replacing the Washington Park lagoon bridges is scheduled to begin May 13, 2024. Placement of project fencing, removing existing hazardous trees, and clearing vegetation to allow equipment to access areas needed for construction will occur in the first week of the project. The bridges will be unavailable for use during the project. Park users should also be aware of increased construction traffic in the park along access points to the north and south bridges (see construction access routes and staging areas pages in the Documents link below).

Project Update 09.20.23

Funding to construct the new bridges was approved in the Milwaukee County 2023 capital budget. The project team is now working to complete design and construction documents for bidding and construction of the new bridges.

Scope of Work: 2021-2023

Funding for the design phase of the project to repair or replace the Washington Park lagoon bridges was approved in 2021. Project consultants first completed an in-depth report of the existing bridges. This study included a comprehensive review of bridge history, construction methods, current conditions including engineering analysis, load rating analysis, and alternatives (including the recommended alternative) for restoration or replacement. See link to download the report on the right side of this page.

After initial analysis, the first public meeting was held in December 2021 to present possible options for repair or replacement; four alternatives were presented. Results of the public meeting were considered in selecting rehabilitation or design options for replacement of the bridges. After additional analysis and study, new concrete structures were chosen as the best option.

A second Public Information Meeting to review progress and design recommendations for the project took place on January 4, 2023. The public was presented with the PowerPoint presentation found on the right side of the page under "Documents", and renderings of the proposed bridge design (below) were also shared. As detailed in the PowerPoint presentation, the recommendation is to replace the existing bridges with new, concrete structures similar to those in the rendered images.

Timeline – 2023 to 2024

The proposed timeline for completing the project is as follows:

  • Complete final plans and construction documents; advertise for bidding: December 2023 – January 2024
  • Begin construction: May 13, 2024
  • Substantial completion of project: September 27, 2024
  • Site restoration work may carry over into spring of 2025
Page last updated: 22 Aug 2025, 12:37 PM