MCTS announces detours and security measures for Republican National Convention

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Transit System has released a detailed map outlining bus detours during the Republican National Convention in downtown Milwaukee. Security measures will affect 14 bus routes and cause system-wide delays.

Detours could begin as early as Thursday, July 11, with security fencing going up.

Routes impacted include CONNECT 1, BlueLine, GreenLine, 12, 15, 18, 19, 30, 31, 33, 34, 57, 80 and 81. Most detours will reroute buses to 12th, Walnut and Milwaukee streets.

For the CONNECT 1 and Route 30 buses, eastbound stops will include Wisconsin and North 16th BRT Station (stop #9640) and Wisconsin & Jefferson/Jackson (stop #66). Westbound stops will also be on Wisconsin & Jefferson/Jackson (stop #4392) and Wisconsin & North 16th BRT Station (stop #9641).

The BlueLine will detour off its regular route between Wells and 12th streets. Northbound stops will be Highland & 12th Street (stop #2992), while southbound stops will be 12th Street & State (stop #888).

Several MCTS riders CBS 58 spoke to Monday afternoon were unaware of the changes.

"That sucks, I'm going to have to leave real early now," said one rider.

"You know, I might have to get up a little bit earlier, just so I can make it on time to where I am going, so that's the downside about it," said another rider, Shauntina Washington.

She takes the bus every day from N. 6^th Street and W. Wells Street, just outside the Baird Center. That is one of the many stops that will be closed next week.

"I do work downtown, which - I normally stay downtown, so it really won't be too much of a hoof for me, but it's still kind of a bummer," Washington said.

Riders that usually catch route 19 or 80 from 6th/Wells will have to use bus stops more than a mile away, outside of the security zone.

Other routes will have similar detours.

"I'm handicapped. Right now, I walk almost from around the corner all the way around here to get to this bus stop, and it's hard," said rider Sherry Hale. "I'm not going to be able to go see my grandkids."

MCTS said those that rely on transit should expect delays.

"I mean, what can we do about it? We have to get to work," another rider said.

An MCTS spokesperson declined to go on camera Monday.

Additional detour information released by MCTS includes:

• GreenLine: Northbound stops at 1st Street & Pittsburgh (stop #2602) and Water & Pleasant (stop #1323); southbound stops at Water & Pleasant (stop #1421) and 1st Street & Pittsburgh (stop #8557).
• Route 12: Both northbound and southbound stops at 12th Street & Wells (stop #890).
• Route 15: Northbound stops at 1st Street & Pittsburgh (stop #2602) and Juneau & 501 East (stop #1614); southbound stops at Juneau & 500 East (stop #1645) and 1st Street & Pittsburgh (stop #8557).
• Route 18: Eastbound stops at South 1st & Pittsburgh (stop #2602) and Broadway & Knapp (stop #1761); westbound stops at Broadway & Knapp (stop #1761) and South 1st & Pittsburgh (stop #8557).
• Route 19: Northbound stops at 6th Street & Bruce (stop #7218) and MLK Drive & Reservoir (stop #1973); southbound stops at MLK Drive & Reservoir (stop #1873) and 6th Street & Virginia (stop #7129).
• Route 31: Eastbound stops at Highland & 12th Street (stop #2990); westbound stops at Highland & 12th Street (stop #2992).
• Route 33: Eastbound stops at Vliet & 15th Street (stop #616) and Prospect & State (stop #1705); westbound stops at Prospect & State (stop #1705) and Vliet & 15th Street (stop #750).
• Route 34: Eastbound stops at 8th Street & North Ave (stop #8420); westbound stops at 7th St & North Ave (stop #8348).
• Route 57: Eastbound stops at Walnut & MLK Drive (stop #5644); westbound stops at Walnut-Pleasant & MLK Drive (stop #5525).
• Route 80: Northbound stops at 6th Street & Bruce (stop #7128) and 7th St & North Ave (stop #8348); southbound stops at 8th Street & North Ave (stop #8420) and 6th Street & Virginia (stop #7129).
• Route 81: Northbound stops at 6th Street & National (stop #7217) and Walnut & 14th Street (stop #5531); southbound stops at Walnut & 14th Street (stop #5637) and 6th Street & National (stop #7131).

MCTS’s paratransit service, Transit Plus, will also face disruptions. Paratransit vans can enter the RNC’s Vehicle Screening Perimeter for scheduled drop-offs. Riders are advised to download the My Transit Manager app for real-time tracking. Visitors eligible for ADA paratransit services in their home communities can request ADA visitor status by calling (414) 343-1701 at least one day before arrival.

Full details can be found by clicking here.

Normal service is expected to resume on Friday, July 19 after the conclusion of the convention.