Bridgetender Signals to Vessels.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 118-50
in effect118-50. Bridgetender Signals to Vessels.
1. BELL TO ACKNOWLEDGE VESSEL. Whenever any vessel approaching any of said bridges shall give the signal for the opening thereof, and such vessel shall be within 600 feet from such bridge, the bridgetenders on each side of such bridge if it be a bascule bridge, or the bridgetender in the center thereof if it be a swinging drawbridge, shall ring the bell or bells thereon. In case any such vessel when giving the signal for the opening of such bridge shall be more than 600 feet from such bridge, the bridgetender on each side of such bridge if it be a bascule bridge, or the bridgetender on the center thereof if it be a swing drawbridge, shall ring the bell or bells thereon before such vessel reaches a point 600 feet from such bridge. In case the bridgetender on any bridge shall know that for any reason such bridge cannot be opened, he shall not ring the bell thereon.
2. SIGNAL BEFORE OPENING BRIDGE. The ringing of the bell at the center of any swing drawbridge, or the ringing of the bells on both abutments of any bascule bridge, in answer to the signal from any vessel for the opening thereof shall be a signal to such vessel that the bridgetenders thereon are at their proper posts of duty and have heard the signal on such vessel, but shall not be construed to be a signal that such bridge will be opened for the passage of such vessel.
3. SIGNAL UPON OPENING. Whenever any vessel shall have signaled for the opening of any such bridge, and the bridgetenders thereon shall have rung the bells thereon as provided in sub. 1, the bridgetender or bridgetenders shall start to open such bridge before the distance between such vessel and such bridge shall have become shorter than the distance within which vessel can be stopped, provided that such bridgetender or bridgetenders shall not start to open such bridge until the same shall have been cleared of all persons using such bridge as a highway.
4. PENALTY. Every bridgetender or other persons in charge of any such bridge who shall fail or neglect to promptly raise or lower such bridge signal ball as provided in sub. 1 , or who shall knowingly or intentionally fail or neglect to open any such bridge as provided in sub. 3, shall upon conviction thereof be punished by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $10, or by imprisonment in the house of correction of Milwaukee county for not to exceed 30 days.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH118.pdf#page=22Fetched: 10/26/2026