× Expand No more dreaded detours.

Some good news for Bay View commuters: After nearly a year and a half, the 1st Street Bridge over the Kinnickinnic River will reopen on Friday. One of precious few arteries connecting Bay View to Downtown, the bridge underwent an extensive rehabilitation that has caused significant headaches for drivers in the neighborhood, especially during rush hour when the rerouting caused painful traffic backups.

Alderman Tony Zielinski announced the reopening today on Facebook, along with a reopening ceremony. "Join me on Friday, November 16th at 3:15 pm along with DPW staff and other City workers," he wrote. "This improvement should ease the burden for many motorists trying to access South Side neighborhoods and Downtown Milwaukee."

So, why, exactly, did it take nearly a year and a half to repair a fairly modest bridge? According to the city, the rehabilitation project was a major operation that included the demolition of the bridge, improvements to structural, electrical and mechanical components, updates to meet state and federal safety requirements, the addition of two solid surface lanes for bicyclists terrified of riding over those slippery, open grates, and aesthetic enhancements including lighting on the bridge, all while maintaining "the unique, historically-significant aspect of the structure, which was built in 1957."

This is great news for all Milwaukee drivers, not least of all the semi-truck drivers who keep getting stuck under the Kinnickinnic Avenue railroad bridge.