On Sept. 10, Wells Street in Downtown Milwaukee between 6th Street and Prospect Avenue and 2nd Street between Michigan and Wells Streets will be converted from one-way to two-way traffic. 

The changes are being made to improve circulation in Downtown while the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge is closed for rehabilitation.  The bridge closes Oct. 3.  

Today, the City provided an information update that we've posted below.

 About the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge. The bridge, built in 1975, needs to be repaired. The rehabilitation work will include rehab of the structural, electrical, hydraulic and mechanical elements of the bridge--as well as new decking, railings, sidewalks and bridge approaches. The bridge will be closed on Oct. 3, and is scheduled to be opened on or before Aug. 3, 2012. 

2-way Wells (6th- Prospect). The conversion of Wells Street between 6th Street and Prospect Avenue will involve the following. Between 6th Street and Broadway, the street will be configured with two lanes of traffic east bound and one lane west bound. The segment between Broadway and Van Buren will have one lane of traffic and a bike lane in each direction. The segment between Van Buren and Prospect will have one lane of traffic in each direction. Most intersections will have left turn lanes. Minimal parking will be removed. Traffic signals and signs are now being installed. Existing lane lines and markings are being removed in advance of the conversion, and on Sept. 10 (rain date, Sept. 11), new pavement markings will be painted with the new lane pattern. Orange barrels and signs with arrows showing traffic in both directions will be placed on the yellow centerline to alert drivers that two-way traffic is present, and to guide traffic during the transition. Traffic flow will be monitored after the change, and any necessary adjustments to the signs and signals will be made during the first few weeks of the transition if problems should develop. 

2-way 2nd (Wells-Michigan). Second Street between Wells and Michigan will be converted to two-way traffic, with two lanes south bound and one lane north bound. The conversion will take place Sept. 10 (rain date, Sept. 11). On that date, new pavement markings will be painted and orange barrels will be placed to guide traffic during the transition. Minimal parking will be removed. As with Wells Street, some adjustments may need to be made during the first few weeks of the transition. 

An open house will be held on Thursday, Sept. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Frank P. Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway, Room 102. Representatives of the Department of Public Works and the Wisconsin Ave. Bridge contractor, Edward Kraemer & Sons, will be available to explain the project and answer questions.