We've been asking you what you'd like us to look into ahead of the Republican National Convention here in Milwaukee.
Security around Henry Meijer Festival Grounds
Kris wrote in to ask TMJ4 specifically about the security procedures during the Sunday night event on the Henry Meijer Festival Grounds.
"I've heard a lot about the Hoan Bridge in the security zone," she said. "Does that mean the Hoan will be closed in all directions? If so, exactly what days?"
TMJ4's Tom Durian spoke with the City of Milwaukee's Department of Public Works and the United States Secret Service. He also used the RNC website to get the answer for Kris.
Starting at 5:00 a.m Sunday, the Hoan Bridge will be closed. I-794 eastbound at the Jackson/Van Buren exit — which is right before the Lakefront — and westbound I-794 at Carferry just south of Jones Island will be included in the closure.
That will all reopen at midnight Monday morning.
Other than the potential for a Secret Service protectee — for example, the former president — there are no other reported plans to close the Hoan or I-794.
Watch: Tom helps answer your RNC questions.
Clarifications for those who live near the vehicle screening perimeter:
Olga, who lives in Milwaukee's Third Ward, asked TMJ4 another great question.
"Can you help me understand what we are in for with the RNC?" she asked. "Will our area really be in the yellow security zone?"
Tom once again reached out to the Secret Service, but unfortunately ran into some confusion.
We know a handful of apartments and condos in the Third Ward will be in the yellow vehicle screening perimeter.
Tom asked the Secret Service if there will be specific vehicle screening points and leaders there said there would be.
But, they then followed up saying there wouldn't be specific screening points, citing that there were no residences in either the pedestrian restricted or vehicle screening zone — which is untrue.
Tom asked for clarification again, sending screenshots of both the security map and a regular map showing the discrepancy. The Secret Service got back to Tom and thanked him for pointing out a graphical error that lead to the original map. They sent a new map showing apartments on Jackson and Jefferson just outside the perimeter.
Security around the airport:
Terri Sivula asked TMJ4, "will there be any airport delays? Can we park at the airport with the RNC going on? Are there any additional restrictions there?"
As far as delays, those are always possible with air travel. But, airport staff expect the airport to be less busy outside of the peak travel days for the RNC. Those are this Saturday and Sunday for delegates coming in and the following Friday and Saturday for delegates leaving.
Airport media manager Harold Mester told Tom that there should be ample parking at the airport. He said the people coming in for the RNC aren't driving cars, they're just vising the city.
Watch: Tom answers your RNC travel questions.
As far as any other restrictions, the airport is operating business as usual. For them, this is just like any other busy holiday travel season with thousands of people coming and going daily.
How the RNC will impact Bastille Days parking:
Several viewers have reached out to the station asking about Bastille Days, which are happening during the same weekend security measures for the RNC go into effect.
One viewer wrote, "it would be great to hear how or if RNC parking restrictions will affect Bastille Days. Will it be difficult to park? Are there suggestions regarding parking or shuttles?"
Keith asked, "are there any restrictions to ramp parking access, hotel stays, pedestrian traffic, bicycles, etc. during Bastille Days?"
And Dawn asked, "Is the parking restricted for Bastille Days this upcoming weekend?"
Tom went down to Cathedral Square Park where crews were setting up the tents and tables for Bastille Days, which kicks off at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.
Watch: Tom looks into how the RNC will impact Bastille Days.
Organizers told Tom they're expecting more people than normal because of the RNC visitors, but the footprint and parking are just like years past.
"All the vendors and the festival are preparing for it to be busier than ever," says Eddie Sturkey with East Town. "We look at this as a great opportunity to showcase the best of Milwaukee for all the tourists in town."
When it comes to parking at the festival, the same restrictions as any other year are in place. And it's normally the busiest weekend for the Milwaukee street car — Organizers suggest using The Hop if you can.
Plus, there's a parking discount. Bastille Day organizers say the code PARIS will bet you 25% off parking at Power Parking garages downtown.
What's behind all the behind all that security fencing?
Perhaps the most important location inside the security barriers is at Fiserv Forum. It's where the RNC will take place Monday through Thursday of next week.
Thousands of delegates will be inside throughout those days and it's where former president Donald Trump will accept the Republican party's nomination for President next Thursday. Outside of Fiserv Forum on Deer District plaza you can see camera locations where media from around the world will have Fiserv Forum in the background.
It takes a lot of microphones and cameras to show what's happening what's inside Fiserv Forum to the world. Crews have spent weeks setting them set up. And the broadcast television satellite trucks are out in the parking lot where they will beam the images all throughout the world.
Watch: Tom takes you behind the scenes of the RNC.
The journalists feeding the pictures into those cameras and the sound into those microphones will work to turn their stories inside "media row" at UW Panther Arena. 15,000 journalists from across the world are expected to be in Milwaukee for the RNC.
Just outside the Panther Arena on Kilbourne outide the Baird Center — which is also the media center where those journalists will be filing their reports — are booths with foods from around the country and around the world. But particularly we are giving our 50,000 guests here in Milwaukee a taste of our own Wisconsin Fried Cheese Curds.
Access to the Intermodal Station during the RNC:
Marilyn reached out to TMJ4 and asked "I have to pick up a friend at the Intermodal Station on Wednesday afternoon. Will I be able to access the location from 794 and St. Paul Street? Or would it be better to pick them up from the airport location?"
Tom went to the Intermodal Station and talked to the ticketing agents there. They told him they're just outside the security perimeter and don't expect issues outside of increased traffic.
Those agents told Tom if you're traveling through there, you'll notice increased security, including TSA agents.
Watch: Tom answers your question about riding the Amtrak during the RNC
But, riders Tom spoke to don't expect problems either.
"You take the train, you said, almost every day down to Chicago, are you worried about what's happening with the convention? Security, traffic?" Tom asked.
"No. No. I think it works. I don't think they screwed up so far," responded George Davida.
"Next week you are taking the train, nothing is going to slow you down, stop you?" Tom asked.
"No, no, I will go," Davida said.
Where are all the international journalists from who are covering the RNC?
There are 15,000 media members and journalists covering the Republican National Convention.
Tom Durian got a chance to speak with Ines Pohl from German television's Deutsche Welle. She's the American bureau chief for the network based in Washington D.C.
Pohl told Tom that western countries are always surprised at the fact that Americans have so few options when it comes to choosing a new President.
"Of course the world is watching, especially after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, they are wondering what he will look like and how do his supporters respond to that," Pohl says.
Watch: Journalists from all over the world come to Milwaukee for the RNC.
She also shared some thoughts on visiting Milwaukee. She and her team visited South Shore Beer Garden over the weekend, and said the city is beautiful.
"We have been welcomed so warmly here to the city of Milwaukee of course there are many Germans and they love to hear our accent," Pohl says. "We already had some nice couples of beer last night at Michigan Lake. So it's wonderful to be here, this is definitely history in the making."
We'll continue to answer your questions, just send us an email at news@tmj4.com
You can also email Tom directly at Tom.Durian@TMJ4.com or Symone at Symone.Woolridge@tmj4.com.
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