Hwy. H bridge in Waubeka expected to be closed into fall

The Highway H bridge over the Milwaukee River in Waubeka will be closed until sometime this fall.

The bridge was closed earlier this year, then reopened after metal plates were placed on the bridge.

But last week a re-inspection of the bridge showed increased damage, and the decision was made to close it again, Ozaukee County Highway Commissioner Jon Edgren said.

“We need to close the bridge until the repairs can be completed, which is likely this fall,” he said. “The concrete surface of the bridge is breaking down, and I would say that it’s due to standard wear and tear that comes with age and environmental factors.”

Edgren said the current repairs would be done by and paid for by the county.  He estimated the cost of repairs at about $50,000, which would come out of the Highway Department’s reserve fund.

“They’re only short-term repairs, which we estimate to give six to eight years of life. We will handle the work under our standard budget,” he said.

But he said the county will reach out to the state for a more permanent fix.

“We expect to submit for a Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bridge Grant for a complete resurfacing of the bridge in the next couple years, which we estimate to be a $500,000 project,” he said.

Alternate routes to reach Waubeka from the south during construction include:

n Take Fredonia Avenue to Highway I east of the river, turn north and then turn west on Highway Z.

n Take Highway A to Highway M, turn north and then east on Highway H.

Replacing the Waubeka bridge, which was built in 1928, is a possibility, Edgren said.

“The current plan is to repair the surface for now, and look at replacing the concrete surface or replacing the entire bridge when the next grant cycle opens in a couple years,” he said.