| By Jeff Sherman OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer Photography by Jon Krouse E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Jeff Sherman |
| Published Sept. 4, 2002 at 11:55 a.m. |
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Alderman Michael D'Amato may have said it best, "design matters." Indeed, it does, and Milwaukee's newest design made a very impressive debut under the glimmer of a warm blue Indian Summer sky as the new 6th Street Viaduct was inaugurated Wednesday morning.
Mayor John O. Norquist, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Governor Scott McCallum officially opened Milwaukee's newest landmark and suddenly the South Side doesn't seem so far away anymore.
The impressive new structure replaces a 1908 viaduct, which had been a primary connector between downtown and its south side. The old structure connected with the Menomonee Valley floor via ramps and stairways.
"For many of the people who are driving across 6th street, this is the first time they will touch the floor of the valley," said Lilith Fowler, executive director of the Menomonee Valley Project. "The bridges open up a new part of the city."
The new viaduct, which has an expected life of 75 years, includes an at-grade intersection with Canal Street, and Milwaukee's first-ever roundabout -- at least on a major scale -- on the south end near Il Mito and Conejito's. The new viaduct is seven-tenths of a mile long, and is supported at either end by soaring white pylons -- beautifully lit at night -- and their distinctive cables.
"It truly is a gateway to Walker's Point and its vital array of restaurants and small businesses, as well as its development, much like we've seen Downtown and in the Historic Third Ward," said Mayor Norquist.
The city will use the new bridge to spark its Menomonee Valley Plan that has already landed an Allen-Edmonds facility, which will include a factory store, and other mixed use developments.
Some interesting facts and figures about Milwaukee's new landmark and the development underneath it:

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