Opening of Bridges; Delays, Hours Closed.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 118-48
in effect118-48. Opening of Bridges; Delays, Hours Closed.
1. DAYTIME REGULATIONS. Whenever between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. persons, teams or vehicles have been delayed at said bridges 5 minutes by reason of said bridges being open for vessels to pass, it shall be the duty of the bridgetenders or other persons in charge of the bridge or bridges to raise the signal ball and immediately close the same and keep the same closed for fully 5 minutes for such persons, teams or vehicles to pass over, if so much time shall be required, when the same shall be opened again and be kept open, if necessary for vessels to pass, for the like period.
2. RUSH HOURS. Provided, however, that bridgetenders shall not open or swing any city swing, draw or bascule bridge across the Menomonee or Kinnickinnic rivers or S. Menomonee canal or Burnham canal or the Milwaukee river south of and excluding the Buffalo Street bridge between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Bridges across the Milwaukee river north and including the Buffalo Street bridge are hereinafter provided for.
3. EXCEPTIONS. a. For Certain Vessels. Provided further, that the exceptions as to hours stated in subs. 1 and 2 shall not apply to vessels having a license to carry 50 or more passengers when proceeding to or from their regular landing places on their regular trips, nor to vessels carrying United States mail, nor to fireboats of the city, nor to vessels belonging to the United States.
b. On Holidays. Provided further, that the exceptions as to hours stated in subs. 1 and 2 shall not apply on Sundays and the following legal holidays: New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, or on the Monday following any such holiday when it occurs on a Sunday.
c. Advance Notice Required. Provided further, that for all bridges owned and operated by the city across the Milwaukee river north of and including the Buffalo Street bridge, the bridgetender shall immediately open the above mentioned bridges for the passage of foreign vessels and vessels of the United States as defined by s. 4311 of the revised statutes of the United States at all times during the day or night except between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., only upon advance notice given by telephone or otherwise to the director of the operations division at least 2 hours in advance of time the vessel desires to pass through a draw upon signals to be given by 3 short blasts of a horn, steam whistle or other approved signaling device.
d. Fireboats. And provided further, that the exception to hours and advance notice stated in par. c shall not apply to fireboats of the city, nor to vessels belonging to the United States.
4. TIME DEFINED. The hours and time referred to in this section shall be central standard time; provided, however, when central daylight saving time is in effect, the hours and time referred to shall be central daylight saving time.
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=21Fetched: 10/26/2026