Category Archives: Transportation

March 27, 2012 · 10:05 am

Panel Backs Lake Parkway Extension Plan

A Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission panel has formally backed a plan to extend the Lake Parkway from Edgerton Avenue to Highway 100.

Check out the story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and here is a press release from County Supervisor Pat Jursik.

Now, the hard work starts: securing the political will, and money, to actually get the $207 million roadway built. It probably won’t happen until at least 2022, and probably longer.

But at least it’s on the drawing board — and I thank County Supervisor Pat Jursik and others for leading the charge to get us this far.

I also credit the SEWRPC panel in using the passage of this plan as an opportunity to call for a more sustainable solution to transit funding. The Lake Parkway should be just one part of a comprehensive transportation plan for the region. Mass and bike transit must be others — giving commuters a variety of transportation options that involve not just cars.  

To quote Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and others, the Department of Transportation is too often the Department of Roads.

Absolutely, let’s build new roads, and fix old ones. But let’s also not neglect the other elements necessary for a strong, and diversified, approach to getting people from point A to point B.

Leave a comment

Filed under Transportation

Tagged as

February 29, 2012 · 10:37 pm

Great Turnout At Lake Parkway Meeting … And How You Can Still Have Your Voice Heard

Update: Check out coverage from WISN and Oak Creek Patch. And the Journal Sentinel has published a story, too, with comments from a couple South Milwaukeeans.

By my count, more than 200 people attended Wednesday’s public meeting about the proposed Lake Parkway extension at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.

It was a good meeting — and answered some of the most commonly asked questions about the project. Of course, more details will come if and when this project advances beyond the planning stages and into engineering and ultimately construction.

It’s a process that will “optimistically” take at least 10 years, according to the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission — and more than likely 15 or more. So don’t expect to see  Highway 794 go beyond Edgerton Avenue anytime soon.

That said, it’s a worthy project and worthy of continued debate. So I credit Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik and other local leaders for driving this, even if it will soon get much harder as this project advances beyond the drawing board and on to the formal regional transportation plan.

You can learn more about the $207 millions extension plan here. Among the local impacts mentioned at Wednesday’s meeting:

  • The project would generally follow the Union Pacific Railroad tracks south of Edgerton to Highway 100, with three interchanges most directly serving South Milwaukee. Two, at Rawson and Drexel, are being planned as grade-separated (either above or below grade). The third, at College, would be a “jug handle” interchange similar to that found currently at 794 and Oklahoma Avenue.
  • The extension would reduce traffic on Highway 32 and Pennsylvania/Nicholson through South Milwaukee, eliminating the need for widening of the latter south of Rawson to Milwaukee Avenue.
  • Widening between College and Rawson is still planned for this summer and fall — work that I strongly argue is still necessary given the long-range nature of the extension project.
  • The Lake Parkway extension would be a safer road. Crash rates on the extension would be about half that of Pennsylvania, the primary arterial that would (and does) carry traffic without the project.
Public comments are still being taken on the project by March 15. You can do so by email, an online website form, mail or fax. Find details here.

Of course, I’d like to know what you think of this project. Post your comments below!

(I also wanted to share a letter of opposition from Michael Timm, a Cudahy resident and former editor of the Bay View Compass, that found its way to my email. While I support this project, Mr. Timm raises some good points against it. Food for thought …)

4 Comments

Filed under Transportation

Tagged as ,

February 26, 2012 · 1:02 pm

Reminder: 794 Extension Meeting Wednesday Evening In South Milwaukee

Update: Here is a detailed story on the extension plan from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The momentum continues for the potential extension of Highway 794 (the Lake Parkway) to Highway 100 and perhaps beyond.

The topic is the subject of a public hearing and information meeting on Wednesday at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and will give citizens a chance to weigh in on whether or not the project should be put on the regional transportation plan.

Check out my previous post on this topic to learn more.

I hope to see you there!

Leave a comment

Filed under Construction, Transportation

Tagged as

February 1, 2012 · 1:40 pm

Public Hearing On Lake Parkway Extension Set For South Milwaukee

You’ll have your chance to weigh in on the potential extension of the Lake Parkway south to Highway 100 at a public hearing and informational meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 29, at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.

The meeting, which is planned from 6 to 8 p.m., specifically seeks comment on whether or not the project should be included on the regional transportation plan — a key step in actually helping this project become reality one day. It will also include a chance to view maps, ask questions and hear a presentation about recommendations from a committee studying the extension.

There are several ways to submit comments: verbally or in writing at the Feb. 29 meeting, via mail or at this SEWRPC website.

Learn more about the Lake Parkway project here on County Supervisor Pat Jursik’s website.

Jursik is chairing the Advisory Committee of the Lake Parkway Extension Study. The committee is working with the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to analyze the project.

Of course, I’d like to know what you think of the extension. Post your comments below!

1 Comment

Filed under Milwaukee County, Transportation

Tagged as ,

January 29, 2012 · 3:24 pm

Drexel Avenue Construction Update

Work will begin this spring on the new Interstate 94 interchange at Drexel Avenue — with additional work to widen Drexel to four lanes between 27th Street and the freeway beginning next month.

That’s according to this story in Oak Creek Patch. From it:

Oak Creek officials have said the expanded Drexel Avenue and new interchange will greatly help efforts to create economic development and jobs, though it will certainly be a huge change for residents in the area.

The interchange is expected to bring new development near the freeway. City officials believe it will also aid efforts to redevelop the former Delphi site, at the corner of Drexel and Howell.

It will also help South Milwaukee, providing another link to our city from I-94.

Here is more information on the West Drexel project.

Leave a comment

Filed under Construction, Transportation

January 26, 2012 · 1:52 pm

New Look To South Milwaukee Bus Service: Route 15 Changes Take Effect Sunday

The changes to Route 15 — South Milwaukee’s only bus line — take effect Sunday morning.

As you recall, a new Route 52 will replace some of the 15’s service in the South Shore, including South Milwaukee.

  • Route 52 will now operate on Pennsylvania and 15th Avenues, looping on to Rawson, 10th, Chicago, Drexel Boulevard and 17th.
  • Route 15 will continue to operate down Chicago Avenue and make a loop starting at Madison Avenue, continuing down 5th, west on Columbia and back north on Chicago.

This Milwaukee County Transit System publication describes the new routes in more detail and includes a color map. This document lists all of the new Route 15/52 bus stop locations.

You can also learn more about the system-wide changes in this Journal Sentinel story and on this MCTS web page. 

Of course, I’d like your thoughts on these changes. Post your comments below!

1 Comment

Filed under Milwaukee County, Transportation

Tagged as , , ,

December 16, 2011 · 4:03 pm

Report: No Hoan Bridge Bike Lane

There won’t be a bike lane on the Hoan Bridge.

Check out The Business Journal story here. Here is the press release.

As most of my readers know, I supported the addition of a bike and pedestrian lane to the bridge — an effort, albeit costly, to go beyond the bare minimum to make the bridge truly unique and special.

Instead, we get the bare minimum. So it goes.

Maybe the powers that be will try again in 2050, or whenever the deck needs replacing again. In the meantime, I’ll continue to drive this vital link between downtown and the South Shore, wishing it could be this or this or this or this (because, yes, this is being done other places).

3 Comments

Filed under Transportation

Tagged as

November 29, 2011 · 2:07 pm

Updating The 794 Extension: Public Hearing Planned For February In South Milwaukee

South Milwaukeeans, and others, can weigh in on plans to extend Highway 794 south to Highway 100 (and beyond) at a public hearing planned for Feb. 29 at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for viewing of displays, and the presentation and public comment session starts at 6:30.

Learn more in County Supervisor Pat Jursik’s December E-Update, and in this Oak Creek patch story. Jursik is chairwoman of the Advisory Committee for the Lake Arterial Extension Study.

The Business Journal also had a recent story on the plan. Check it out here.

It’s a subscription story, so you can only read the first few paragraphs. But the accompanying map is helpful, and it shows an intersection near College and interchanges at Rawson, Drexel and Puetz.

Leave a comment

Filed under Transportation

Tagged as

November 19, 2011 · 5:35 pm

Details Emerge On Hoan Bridge Bike Lanes … And The Debate Continues

Nearly 300 people showed up at a public information meeting on Monday night about the proposed Hoan Bridge bike lanes.

Reaction was mixed, and some new details emerged.

Check out the Journal Sentinel story here, and, of course, I’d like to know what you think. Post your comments below!

Here is what I think: I support the addition of a bike lane to the Hoan, and spending what it takes to add it while keeping three lanes of traffic in both directions. The flow of vehicle traffic should not be compromised to accommodate cyclists.

I feel strongly that we must think big with this project and other major public works projects like it. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to go beyond the bare minimum — functionality, merely a way to connect point A to point B — and make the Hoan truly something special. The bike lanes help deliver on that promise. So would lights, which I proposed adding in a previous post.

Now, will most people reading this post ever walk or bike the Hoan? No. Will I? I’m not sure. But many will, and simply having that option available makes the Hoan a unique attraction of which the entire can region can boast.

We must, as a city and larger community, do a better job of seeking, and ultimately embracing, big ideas when we have a chance to do so. This is that opportunity. Seize it.

24 Comments

Filed under Transportation

Tagged as

November 4, 2011 · 9:11 am

Parkway Drive/17th Avenue Project Update

A quick update on what’s up with the sewer and road work planned for 17th Avenue and Parkway Drive …

The bulk of the project, initially set to begin this summer, will now be done next spring and completed by the end of June 2012.

You’ll recall that the project includes a variety of stormwater and sanitary sewer work, including installing and rerouting stormwater pipes in the 500 block of Parkway Drive, as well as the resurfacing of 17th Avenue from Rawson Avenue to Hemlock.

This document provides a good summary of the contemplated work and reasons for it.

Contracts for the stormwater and sanitary sewer work have been advertised and will be opened Nov. 22. Once a contractor is chosen, some off-street work and fabrication of structures needed for the work can be done over the winter. The sewer work is set for completion by May 25, according to the contract advertisement.

The roadwork will be advertised separately, with an estimated completion by the end of June — in time for Parkway and 17th to act as an alternate route during the Pennsylvania-Nicholson expansion project set to begin in July.

The delay was caused by extra review and design work necessary when the city decided to change the scope of the 17th Avenue roadwork and resurface all the way from Rawson to Hemlock, instead of the shorter length we were initially looking at.

I’ll keep you posted as this project progresses.

2 Comments

Filed under Transportation

Tagged as ,

October 28, 2011 · 4:45 pm

On Buses And Bike Lanes …

A quick update on two transportation projects that stand to impact South Milwaukee and the entire South Shore …

First, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has released a study its done into adding bike and pedestrian access to the Hoan Bridge. What did it find? Well, it would cost a lot … and may require reducing the number of traffic lanes from three to two.

Check out The Business Journal story here. And here is the actual report.

Also on Thursday, regional planners recommended spending $12.7 million in federal funding on four new express bus route lines in Milwaukee County — including one that would connect Mitchell International Airport to Bayshore.

With this new line will come some changes to the existing Route 15 footprint, as some of it (including the portion running through the 4th District) is replaced with a new Route 52.

Here is the Journal Sentinel story on the express bus funding. And click here for the a Milwaukee County Transit system map that shows what would happen to the 15 if the express routes become reality.

I’m interested to know what you think about both issues. Post your comments below!

6 Comments

Filed under Transportation

Tagged as ,

October 20, 2011 · 10:48 am

What’s The Future Of The 15?

The future of the Route 15 bus — which serves South Milwaukee — is the topic of a public information meeting several Milwaukee County supervisors are holding on Monday, Oct. 24.

Check out the press release from County Supervisor Pat Jursik here.

As I have written about, the 15 was threatened with some serious reductions in service as part of the Milwaukee County Transit System’s 2012 budget proposal. County Executive Chris Abele spared the 15 from some of those cuts in his proposed budget, creating an Express Route 15 to serve the South Shore, among other changes.

You can learn more about that new plan at the meeting.

Leave a comment

Filed under Transportation

Tagged as

September 2, 2011 · 3:17 pm

Be Heard And Take Action: Transit Meetings Set For Sept. 13 In Cudahy

As I’ve written about, the Milwaukee County Transit System is proposing major service cuts in 2012, including several that would directly impact South Milwaukee and the South Shore.

The biggest impact locally? The end of Route 15 in South Milwaukee and all Freeway Flyers.

Learn more about what’s planned — and share your feedback — at several community meetings presented by Transit Now, a transit advocacy group. Two are on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at the Cudahy Family Library. One meeting is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and the other is from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

Other meetings are planned Sept. 7-8 in Brown Deer.

County Supervisor Pat Jursik, Milwaukee County Supervisor Jason Haas and Kerry Thomas, executive director of Transit Now, will present at the Cudahy meetings, which are also sponsored by The Gateway to Milwaukee, South Suburban Chamber of Commerce and the Milwaukee Aging Consortium.

The goals of both meetings?

  • Learn about the proposal to reduce and restructure Milwaukee County Transit System, including how changes could impact businesses’ access to workers and customers and individuals’ access to jobs, shopping, health care and other critical destinations.
  • Share your insights and feedback.
  • Find out ways that you can have a voice in the plan.
Learn more here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Milwaukee County, Transportation

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

August 22, 2011 · 11:43 am

Redefining “Service”: Historic Transit Cuts Could Significantly Impact South Milwaukee

Significant reductions in Route 15 and the end of the South Shore Flyer are just two of the changes contained in the proposed 2012 Milwaukee County Transit System budget – a document that includes what some are calling the biggest single-year cut in transit service in the 150-year history of the system.

Looking at the proposed changes, I can’t disagree.

Here is what’s being proposed …

For starters, the proposed budget calls for the elimination of all Freeway Flyer routes, including the No. 48 South Shore Flyer, which passes through South Milwaukee and Cudahy.

Additionally, South Milwaukee would no longer be served by Route 15 as part of a significant, and complicated, “restructuring.” Among the details:

  • The South Milwaukee “loop” would disappear, with all bus service on Madison, 5th and Columbia Avenues being discontinued.
  • Service on Chicago, Packard and Kinnickinnic Avenues would now be run on an “extended” Route 51, instead of the 15 – with this service then connecting to the 15 in Bay View. This means those taking a bus from South Milwaukee to downtown South Milwaukee, for example, would have to transfer.
  • Service on 15th and 17th Avenues, as well as Pennsylvania, College and Clement Avenues, would also be reduced, as the No. 15 bus is replaced by a so-called “low frequency” Route 52 on that stretch.

Find out more details about the proposed Route 15/51 changes here. And learn more about all of the proposed cuts from this press release from Transit Now, which also includes links to an informative one-pager on the proposed cuts.

A detailed summary of the proposed MCTS budget can be found on its website.

Also, you can learn about the proposed cuts (and other budget issues) at two Milwaukee County budget listening sessions coming up this week. Both are from 5 to 7 p.m.

  • Wednesday: Kelly Senior Center, 6100 S. Lake Drive, Cudahy
  • Thursday: Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee

I hope you can attend and share a strong voice in favor of saving our city’s bus service. 

Our transit system, once recognized as the best in the country, is now careening toward irrelevance. And we’re watching it happen, as the death spiral of increased fares and service cuts continues.

Of course, it’s more personal this time. These changes threaten to completely cut off residents of large parts of our city from jobs, retail centers, schools and other destinations. And it threatens local employers who rely on their workers having adequate bus service to get to their jobs. In that way, this is an economic development issue.

I firmly believe that this proposed level of transit service would instantly make South Milwaukee less competitive. That’s something we should all be concerned about — whether you ride the bus or not.

5 Comments

Filed under Transportation

August 16, 2011 · 5:09 pm

Hoan Bridge Neighborhood Meeting Set For Tuesday, Aug. 23

A variety of local and state lawmakers are hosting a “neighborhood meeting” about the upcoming Hoan Bridge reconstruction project on Tuesday, Aug. 23, on Milwaukee’s South Side.

The meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Beulah Brinton center cafeteria, 2555 South Bay St. in Bay View.

The focus of the meeting, according to a notice from State Sen. Chris Larson, one of the organizers, is “talking about a possible Hoan Bridge bicycle and pedestrian lane.” From Larson’s email notice:

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) is currently studying the feasibility of creating a bicycle and pedestrian lane on the Hoan Bridge. DOT expects to complete its study sometime this fall, so now is the time to learn more about DOT’s study and make your voice heard about adding a bike and pedestrian lane to the Hoan Bridge.

Learn more about the project on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation project web page here. And this copy of the meeting notice provides a nice and easy-to-read summary of the project’s need and scope.

4 Comments

Filed under Transportation