Reiman Bridge
Pedestrian Crossing At Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Reiman Bridge

• Bridge: Reiman Bridge
• City: Milwaukee
• State: Wisconsin
• Country: USA
• Carries: Pedestrians
• Crosses: Museum Courtyard, Lincoln Memorial Drive
• Date Opened: September 14, 2001
• Total Length: 280 Feet
• Longest Span:
• Tower Height: 200 Feet
• Deck Width:
• Number Of Spans: 1
• Height Above Ground:
The Milwaukee Art Museum embarked on an expansion program in the 1990's. Their fund raising program was so successful that they had enough money to expand the expansion. In addition to building a few extra galleries, they added a signature bridge to the project. This cable stayed pedestrian bridge ties the museum, which is located on the waterfront, to the downtown area of Milwaukee.

At first glance, this bridge looks like the Sundial Bridge in California. A closer examination shows that it is very different, despite being designed by the same architect, Santiago Calatrava. The Sundial Bridge uses a massive concrete block to balance the suspended span. The Reiman Bridge uses the weight of the building to hold up the bridge. The Sundial Bridge uses one set of cables, with the tower being the structural component. The Reiman Bridge uses two sets of cables, with the tower merely supporting the cables. Finally, the Sundial bridge is offset, with the cables attaching to one side of the deck. The Reiman Bridge has the cables attaching down the center of the deck.

The Reiman Bridge cable attachment is much less complex and costly than the Sundial Bridge arrangement. It did, however, introduce a problem in that the cables would be in the center of the walkway. Concerned that people, especially the blind, would trip over the cables, a granite curb was placed around the cable attachment points. Unfortunately, two people tripped over the curbs breaking their hips. The result is that a stainless steel stair rail has been placed around the cable anchorages. This slightly obscures a very interesting part of the bridge, but it is far safer for the general public.


Reiman Bridge
Reiman Bridge
Reiman Bridge
Reiman Bridge
Reiman Bridge

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Photo and text by John A. Weeks III, Copyright © 2006, all rights reserved.
For further information, contact: john@johnweeks.com