Now Waubeka’s bridge is really closed

If wooden barricades and signs weren’t enough to make it clear the Highway H bridge in Waubeka is closed, concrete barriers were recently installed after Ozaukee County officials were informed by the Federal Highway Administration that barricades blocking bridges must be the type that can’t be moved by drivers, according to Jon Edgren, the county’s highway commissioner and public works director. The 80-year-old span over the Milwaukee River was closed earlier this summer after officials determined it had deteriorated beyond repair and must be replaced, which is estimated to cost $3 million and take years because of the state grant cycle. The Public Works Committee has authorized Edgren to spend as much as $100,000 on a temporary fix. He has suggested placing metal plates on the deck, although the bridge may still have to be closed in winter because the plates would interfere with plowing. The committee is expected to continue its discussions about the bridge when it meets on Sept. 17.                                                                                         Photo by Sam Arendt