Hoan Bridge closes Sunday morning for the Ride for the Arts
The Hoan Bridge will be closed to motor vehicles and opened to bicycles for the first time in decades on Sunday, when thousands of riders go over the span in the Miller Lite Ride for the Arts.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will close roughly two miles of I-794 from 5:30 to 10 a.m. Motorists heading northbound are advised to exit at Howard Ave. and take I-94 into the Marquette Interchange and those driving southbound/east are advised to follow I-94.
Cyclists on 25-, 50- and 75-mile routes in the UPAF Ride will start at the Summerfest grounds, climb the 3% grade and descend to Carferry Drive.
The 25-mile route continues to Grant Park, while the 50- and 75-mile routes double back north over the bridge.
The Hoan has been closed to cyclists and pedestrians since it opened in the late 1970s.
Early in its existence, Milwaukee County officials closed the bridge to motor vehicles and opened it to walkers and bikers on one day each year.
That practice ended in the late 1980s, and state officials have rejected persistent requests to open a lane for non-motorized traffic on the bridge. The debate continues.
The Hoan will be filled with cyclists on Sunday morning. Journal Sentinel photo by Jack Orton
City officials said earlier this week that a bike and pedestrian path on the bridge should be included in the plans for reconstructing the bridge, a project that will start at the end of 2013 and cost $275 million to $350 million.
While holding firm against permanent access for non-motorized users of the bridge, state officials agreed to permit the bikers in the UPAF Ride and runners in the Summerfest Rock ‘n Sole run to go over the Hoan.
The opportunity to pedal over the Hoan helped boost the registration numbers for the Ride for Arts. Organizers said that 6,000 had signed up for the ride through Thursday, and another 500 to 1,000 were expected to register Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Roughly 6,000 participated in the ride in 2010.
Registration is open from noon to 6 p.m. in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St., on Friday and Saturday. Riders can sign up at the Summerfest grounds from 6 to 9 a.m. on Sunday.
The first bikers to head over the Hoan will leave the start line at 7 a.m.
Based on the forecast, wind will not be much of a factor on Sunday morning. The National Weather Service predicts light breezes of five to 10 mph from the north.
Tales from the road: If you ride over the Hoan on Sunday, send your impressions to theld@journalsentinel.com.
The stories will be included in coverage of the ride and Bike to Work Week, which opens on Monday.
9 Comments for "Hoan Bridge closes Sunday morning for the Ride for the Arts "
If they can allow bikes and pedestrians on the Bong Bridge in Duluth, I don't understand why we can't here. That bridge looks to be higher and longer - and more exposed to the elements - than the Hoan.
Runner Girl Jun 03, 2011 11:40 AM
milwmonstr Jun 03, 2011 11:45 AM
It's not about the elements, it's about having to do major renovations to
protect bikes and pedestrians from motorists and to protect them from
the side of the bridge. They would have to put up cement dividers
between the right lane and the shoulder, which would make about a 10'
bike path. But the side of the bridge is only a few feet high, so they'd
have to renovate that to be at least 5' as well. The result would be the
loss of a disabled vehicle lane in one direction on the bridge. Then there's
the issue of on and off ramps being reworked to handle bike and
pedestrian traffic. The cost involved really wouldn't be worth the gain,
although I agree that it'd be fun to be able to bike or walk it.
default Jun 03, 2011 11:52 AM
I disagree - it would well be worth the gain. As far as reworking the on and off ramps all that is needed is to run the bike lane on the right side of the northbound lanes. These are fairly easy to get to and would require minimal work.
The RTS Jun 03, 2011 3:22 PM
willie4201 Jun 03, 2011 6:36 PM
explain to me how someone running a stop sign on a bicycle affects you in
any way? People run stop signs all day long in cars, truck, on motorcycles
too, don't hear much complaining about that.
okiefo Jun 04, 2011 7:25 AM
With five foot high fences or barriers it would become a drive through a prison or a tunnel.
Additionally, wind speeds that may appear tolerable at the on ramps could easily overwhelm a person at the top. Don't make the mistake of extrapolating a beautiful summer day to typical Wisconsin weather.
Additionally there are some unstated concerns that can't be discussed lest they result in the very thing they hope to prevent.
Today I'd welcome the chance to inspect the work of 30 people working on jack-hammers every day for weeks. It would be good to see where our millions are going.
ZooVuu Jun 04, 2011 8:34 AM
LMinMKE Jun 04, 2011 5:50 PM
cyclist. You might get a ticket at most. But honestly, if a cyclist runs a
stop and a car hits them, its on the cyclist. Their fault, their problem.
okiefo Jun 04, 2011 11:33 PM