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 |
