Photos
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Looking North from Pierce Street The 16th Street Viaduct stretches 8/10 mile across the Menomonee River Valley, crossing streets, railroad tracks, the Menomonee River, industry, a Native American casino and the Hank Aaron State Trail. It was built in 1929 and refurbished in 1986, including a new, wider deck and updated safety features. It continues to be a vital link between the north and south sides of Milwaukee and carries a great deal of both vehicle and pedestrian traffic on a daily basis.
It has 89 main spans in the 18 bridges that comprise the viaduct and an additional 14 spans that form the ramp to Emmber Lane. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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City Sign The viaduct was the scene of protest marches in 1966, led by a Catholic Priest, Father James Groppi. In 1988, Mayor John Norquist officially renamed the span the "James E. Groppi Unity Bridge." Although that is the official name, almost everyone still refers to it as the more familiar, "16th Street Viaduct." Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Ramp to Bruce Street The viaduct is actually comprised of 23 individual bridges. The approach from the south is earthen, and includes this ramp that leads down to Bruce Street, the main thoroughfare in the south valley.
Each of the following units is actually a separate historical bridge that, together, creates this historical viaduct. While each could have its own listing, the multiple listings wouldn't make much sense to a researcher. Therefore, the viaduct has one listing and each unit is pictured with its own statistics. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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The South Portal Looking southeast as lanes exit the southern portal. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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Government Plaque The government plaque that commemorates the refurbishment in 1986. It is located on the east parapet wall at the south portal. An identical plaque is mounted on the west parapet wall at the north portal of the viaduct. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 1 Each span has a state inventory plaque. Note that each span carries the same inventory number with a unit number. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at Unit 1. NBI lists this unit as 92.9 feet in length and that it crosses land.
Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 2 The inventory plaque that identifies this span as Unit 2. NBI lists Unit 2 as crossing Bruce Street and it has a length of 177.5 feet. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 2.
Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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The East Side Bruce Street crosses underneath the span. The ramp from Pierce Street is on the left. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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Underneath Typical girder configuration of the superstructure of the viaduct. Unit 2 also spans the yard of Miller Compressing, one of the premier scrap opertions in Wisconsin. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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Joint Between Units Most of the joints between units of the viaduct look like this one. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 3 The inventory plaque that identifies this span as Unit 3. NBI lists Unit 3 as crossing land (mostly the yard of Miller Compressing) and it has a length of 165 feet. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northeast at the deck of Unit 3. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 4 The inventory plaque that identifies this span as Unit 4. NBI lists Unit 4 as crossing land (mostly the yard of Miller Compressing) and it has a length of 210 feet. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 4.
Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The West Side The west side of the viaduct, showing units 3-6 as it intersects the bridge to the casino parking structure. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 5 NBI lists Unit 5 as crossing land (the north end of the Miller Compressing yard) and tracks of the Canadian National Railroad. It has a length of 375 feet.
Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 5. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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Miller Compressing and CNRR Yards Looking west from Unit 5. In the distance is the 27th Street viaduct. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 6 The inventory plaque that identifies this span as Unit 6. NBI lists Unit 6 as crossing tracks of the Canadian National Railroad, but it is far busier than just that. It has a length of 243 feet. The north end of the span is attached to a companion bridge, built with private funds, that carries traffic to the parking structure of the Potawatomi Casino parking structure. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 6. Note the bridge that exits to the west. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Companion Bridge The south side of the parking structure bridge. Note the controlled intersection that breaks traffic on the viaduct. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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CNRR Yards The south side of the parking structure and the CNRR yards. The 27th Street Viaduct is visible in the distance. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Companion Bridge The companion bridge carries traffic to the Potawatomi Bingo and Casino Bridge. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The West Side The west side of Units 6 and 5, as seen from under the Potawatomi Bridge. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2007 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 7 BI lists Unit 7 as crossing land that is owned by Potowatomi Casino on the west and industry on the east. It has a length of 210 feet. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 7. The large building is the casino. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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Pittsburgh Street An extension of Pittsburgh Street provides access to the casino but it does not continue east under the viaduct. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 8 NBI lists Unit 8 as crossing land, the casino is to the west and industry is to the east. It has a length of 194.9 feet. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 8. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The West Side The west side of the viaduct looking north, Units 7 & 8. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2007 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 9 NBI lists Unit 9 as crossing land, the casino is to the west and industry is to the east. It has a length of 225.1 feet. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 9. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The West Side The west side of the viaduct looking north, Units 9 and part of 10. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 10 NBI lists Unit 10 as crossing land, the casino is to the west and industry is to the east and it has a length of 252 feet. This is also a busy unit, attached to it are Units 10A (97.1,) 10B (120.1 feet,) 10C (120.1 feet,) and 10D (65.6 feet) which form a ramp that leads to Emmber Lane, providing access to Canal Street. Before the turn of the 21st Century, the only access to Canal Street was from this ramp, a similar ramp on the old 6th Street Viaduct and the street that is now called Emmber Lane. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 10, including the controled intersection with the Emmber Lane ramp. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Emmber Lane Ramp The south side of the Emmber Lane ramp, crossing private industry land. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Emmber Lane Ramp The north face of the ramp. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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The Emmber Lane Ramp The west portal of the ramp, Unit 10A, is curved to allow entrance and egress to the viaduct. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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The Emmber Lane Ramp The north face of the ramp from below. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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Underneath The girder structure of Unit 10. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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The West Side The west side of Unit 10. The outriggers were added in 1986 to accomodate the wider deck required by modern traffic standards. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 11 NBI lists Unit 11 as crossing Canal Street and it has a length of 164.7 feet. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 11. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Girder Structure Over Canal Street The girder structure over Canal Street. Is the condition of the steel indicative of the damage caused by the use of salt for ice control during the Winter? Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 12 NBI lists that Unit 12 also crosses Canal Street and it has a length of 135.5 feet. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 12. Unit 12 includes pedestrian stair access to Canal Street and has bus stops on both sides of the deck. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The East Side Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2007 |
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Stairway Access The pedestrian stairway on the west side of the span. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Stairway The pedestrian stairway as seen from below. The stairs allow employees in the area access to the north-south bus routes. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2007 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 13 NBI lists Unit 13 as crossing land and it has a length of 211 feet. There is a City of Milwaukee DPW facility below and to the east of the viaduct. Marquette University built an athletic facility to the west of the viaduct, on the south shore of the Menomonee River. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 13. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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Marquette University Stairway Marquette University is located at the north end of the viaduct, so the school built this stairway tower to allow students access to the field from the viaduct. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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Looking West At The Menomonee River The Marquette University athletic facility on the left. To the right of the field is the Hank Aaron State Trail and the Menomonee River. In the distance is the 27th Street Viaduct and the arch on the horizon is the roof of Miller Park. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 14 NBI lists this unit as being 383.9 feet long, that would make it the longest bridge of the viaduct. This unit also includes a bascule bridge. It continues to cross the DPW facility and the Marquette facility, but it also crosses the Hank Aaron State Trail and the Menomonee River. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 14, including the steel decking of the bascule bridge. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The control tower for the bascule. From the west side of the bridge. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The control tower for the bascule. Looking south. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2008 |
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The Deck of the Bascule Spans Looking northeast. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Bascule Spans The west face of the bascule span. The path of asphalt paving along the river is the Hank Aaron State Trail. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2007 |
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The Counterweights Below the bascule, the operating mechanism and counterweights of the south span. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in June 2007 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 15 NBI lists Unit 15 as crossing land and it has a length of 233.9 feet. There is a City of Milwaukee DPW facility below and to the east of the viaduct. A city impound lot is on the west side, on the north shore of the Menomonee River. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 15. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 16 NBI lists Unit 16 as crossing Canadian National Railroad and it has a length of 213.9 feet. It actually crosses the north edge of the City of Milwaukee DPW facility, Mount Vernon Avenue and the CNRR tracks. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 16. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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CNRR tracks and Mount Vernon Avenue Looking east at the CNRR tracks and the DPW facility. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 17 NBI lists Unit 17 as crossing buildings and St. Paul Avenue. It has a length of 236.9 feet.
Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 17. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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St. Paul Avenue Looking east up St. Paul Avenue. The bridges are part of the Marquette Interchange, out of sight is the 6th Street North Viaduct. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The East Side The east side of the viaduct, looking south toward the bascule bridge. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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Stairway Access A pedestrian stairway allows access to St. Paul Avenue. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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Stairway Access A pedestrian stairway allows access to St. Paul Avenue. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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Hmmmmm If I had seen the rust on this landing before I took the stairs, I might not have done so! Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The West Face The west face of Units 17 & 18. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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Girder Structure As it crosses St. Paul Avenue. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The West Face Looking South toward the casino. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 18 About one third of this span is original to the viaduct and the other two thirds was removed and rebuilt as a part of the Marquette Intechange rebuilding project. NBI lists Unit 18 as crossing I-94 but it does cross some buildings. It has a length of 276.9 feet. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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State of Wisconsin Inventory Plaque - Unit 18 This is the plaque that identifies that span that was removed and replaced during the reconstruction of the Marquette Interchange between 2004-2008. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The Deck Looking northwest at the deck of Unit 18. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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I-94 Eastbound I-94 travels beneath the bridge, looking east toward the Marquette Interchange, downtown and Lake Michigan. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The East Face The east side of the new span of Unit 18. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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The North Government Plaque The redecking plaque that matches the one on the south portal of the viaduct. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
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Looking South The full length of the viaduct from the north portal. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2008 |
Facts
- Overview
- Girder bridge over Land, Bruce St., Canal St., Mt. Vernon Ave., Menomonee River, CNRR and Hank Aaron State Trail on 16th Street in Milwaukee
- Location
- Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
- Status
- Open to traffic
- History
- Built 1929; rehabilitated 1986
- Design
- Girder
- Dimensions
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Length of largest span: 149.9 ft.
Total length: 4,002.2 ft.
Deck width: 56.1 ft.
- Also called
- James E. Groppi Unity Bridge
- Approximate latitude, longitude
- +43.03000, -87.93300 (decimal degrees)
43°01'48" N, 87°55'59" W (degrees°minutes'seconds") - Approximate UTM coordinates
- 16/423989/4764568 (zone/easting/northing)
- USGS topographic map
- Milwaukee
- Inventory number
- BH 36855 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
- Inspection (as of 11/2007)
- Deck condition rating: Satisfactory (6 out of 9)
Superstructure condition rating: Good (7 out of 9)
Substructure condition rating: Satisfactory (6 out of 9)
Sufficiency rating: 94.4 (out of 100) - Average daily traffic (as of 2005)
- 13,600