For a few days. And we know that as soon as this convention is over, the cleanup will begin. With the bagged meters, concrete barriers, and endless fences, navigating downtown Milwaukee has proven to be difficult. These past four days. I walked everywhere. Driving is impossible. Well, a friend came to visit and it took about 45 minutes just to get through the traffic and other issues. You haven’t even been in your car these past four days? Nope. Milwaukee is hosting the Republican National Convention, so the kids will be there. Those who live and work downtown have got the hang of avoiding the road closures and parking restrictions. I figured it out on the first day. Come on down to Water Street. We were told it’s temporary, so just go with the flow. Are you ready to go back to normal? Yes, yes. Yes, ma’am. But it will take a few days to get back to normal. Parking restrictions from Broadway in the east to 10th Street in the west, and from Cherry in the north to St. Paul in the south will continue from midnight Sunday through Monday. The Secret Service says they’ll start removing barricades from major highways early Friday morning. The cleanup is expected to continue through the weekend. It’s nice to see the energy in the city up, and it’s nice to see attention on the city. But it’ll be nice to think it’s over. Right, Hannah, the Secret Service said they’ll be clearing out as soon as they can. Right, Diana? The Secret Service says the timing could change in the next few days, but they hope to have everything picked up, packed up, and open again by Monday morning. AL
RNC parking restrictions, road closures to continue through weekend
The Republican National Convention may end on Thursday, but its impacts downtown will continue through at least Sunday.
Thursday marks the final day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, but the impacts on downtown will continue through at least Sunday. Bagged toll booths, endless fencing and vehicle checkpoints have made it difficult to navigate downtown streets this week during the convention. “I walk everywhere. I can’t drive,” Wyatt Weigel, who lives and works downtown, told WISN 12 News on Thursday. Those who can’t avoid downtown have gotten the hang of detours. “I was told it’s temporary. Just go with the flow,” said Michelle Crawford of Milwaukee. “Are you ready to get back to normal?” asked WISN 12 News’ Hannah Hillyard. “Yes! Yes, yes, ma’am,” she replied. It will take a few days to get back to normal, though. The parking restrictions will last from late Sunday night through Monday. The Secret Service said it will begin removing fencing as soon as the convention ends. The removal will begin on major roads. The Secret Service said the removal timeline could change in the coming days, but it is expected to be all removed and open again by Monday morning. “The vibrancy is great, it’s good to see attention on the city,” said Dane Walsh, who works downtown, “but I think we’ll be happy when they finish removing it.”
Thursday marks the final day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, but the impacts on downtown will continue through at least Sunday.
Bagged toll booths, endless fences and vehicle checkpoints made it difficult to travel downtown streets this week during the tournament.
“I just walk everywhere. I can’t drive,” Wyatt Weigel, who lives and works downtown, told WISN 12 News on Thursday.
Those who can’t avoid downtown have learned to make detours.
“We were told it’s temporary and we just have to go with the flow,” said Michelle Crawford of Milwaukee.
“Are you ready to get back to normal?” asked WISN 12 News’ Hannah Hillyard.
“Yes! Yes, yes, ma’am,” she replied.
But it will take several days for things to return to normal. The parking restrictions began late Sunday night and will continue through Monday. The Secret Service said it will begin removing barricades within hours of the convention ending, starting with major roads.
The Secret Service said the timing could change over the next few days, but that the site is expected to be cleared and reopen by Monday morning.
“The energy is great, it’s good to see attention on the city,” said Dane Walsh, who works downtown, “but I think I’ll be happy when it’s over.”
