DOT upgrading 'gateway' pedestrian bridge in Menomonee Falls

Menomonee Falls - The bridge connecting Water Street over US Highway 41/45 in Menomonee Falls will soon receive a face-lift.

Construction has begun on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's 365-feet long, 9.7-feet wide pedestrian bridge. Construction continues through late June or early July. The bridge will also be painted in late August.

The project costs $620,953 with the village of Menomonee Falls contributing $160,000, according to Village Manager Mark Fitzgerald.

"Even though it's not our bridge, it's a gateway feature coming in into the village from US 41 and it's starting to look pretty poor," Fitzgerald said.

The bridge connects Water Street on both sides of the freeway. There will also be new approaches on both ends of the bridge where it flows downward to the pedestrian sidewalks, Fitzgerald said.

Zenith Tech, the project contractor, is performing maintenance work consisting of blast cleaning and painting the structural steel, concrete work on the deck and removal and replacement of the protective fence and lighting, according to Emlynn Grisar, communications manager for the DOT.

Once work begins on the bridge's structural steel, there will be lane closures on Hwy. 41/45 in order for construction crews to access the structure from underneath. To prevent freeway congestion, Grisar said work is restricted to off-peak and night closures. There will also be occasions when a detour route will be required as a result of the northbound Pilgrim Road ramp closure.

During phases of the construction, the skywalk may be closed to pedestrian traffic, as well. Grisar said notification of the skywalk closures will be posted two weeks before the actual closure.