Milwaukee streetcar system wire damaged by heavy snow

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

City officials say they're investigating an incident involving Milwaukee's new streetcar system, in which a heavy chunk of snow may have damaged part of the overhead wire system.

Several poles for the electric wire are close to the I-794 overpass at N. Broadway and E. Clybourn St.

A witness reported seeing a large chunk of compacted snow and ice drop from the overpass Wednesday night, detaching a bracket on a cantilevered arm that supports the wire and leaving it dangling, according to city officials.

A 67-foot long, 83,000-pound streetcar vehicle arrives on W. St. Paul Avenue between N. 2nd and N. 4th Streets in Milwaukee from Brookville, Pa. Called The Hop, the streetcar will be stored inside the operations and maintenance facility on N. 4th Street. On-street testing of the first vehicle will begin next month on a section of W. St. Paul Ave., with testing along the full initial route to begin this summer.

Emergency officials responded, but the wire was not energized.

"While the cause is under review ... the streetcar team is looking into all possible causes and will continue to take appropriate steps to protect public safety and provide effective operations of the streetcar," Sandy Rusch Walton, Department of Public Works spokeswoman, said Saturday.

Service for the initial downtown streetcar route is scheduled to begin in the fall.