EAST WELLS STREET
REPLACEMENT PROJECT

OVERVIEW

The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works and State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation are replacing East Wells Street from North Broadway to North Van Buren Street. The initial proposed project limits were from North Broadway to North Prospect Avenue. The reason for the change in project limits is that one of the primary goals of the project is to reduce the roadway width in an effort to create a safer environment and the section from Van Buren to Prospect is already at the minimum width. In additional, changing the project limits will allow the City to reprioritize funds to improve other roadways.

The scope of work includes removing and replacing deteriorated pavement, curb & guttter, driveway approaches and sidewalk. Pedestrian curb ramps will be built to meet ADA compliance, and we will enhance pedestrian and bike accommodations. Drainage structures, street lighting and traffic signals will also be upgraded.

VIEW DESIGN PLANS HERE

GOALS

• Upgrade pavement conditions
• Better organize all modes of traffic 
• Manage driving speeds
• Improve visibility for all users
• Make travel safe and comfortable for everyone

FACTS

• East Wells Street is a connecting highway (WIS 32), classified as a minor arterial
• Average Daily Traffic Count: 2,600-5,200 vehicles
• Posted speed: 30 mph
• No existing bus routes
• Right of Way: 80 ft
• Roadway Width
  • N. Broadway to N. Van Buren St.: 60 ft

FUNDING

Estimated construction cost is $5.5 to $6.0 million dollars. Approximate Breakdown: 

Preliminary Engineering

• 75% cost covered by State
• 25% cost covered by the City

Construction Costs

• 45% cost covered by the State 
• 55% cost covered by the City

 

 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

Project Completion - Friday, November 22, 2024

• Replaced deteriorating pavement, curb and gutter, driveway approaches and sidewalks
• Added raised, protected bike lanes
• Installed new curb ramps to meet ADA standards
• Upgraded traffic signals and street lighting
• Reconstructed storm sewers

Residents can expect sidewalk work the week of November 25 and
landscaping work in Spring 2025.

Project Update - Friday, November 1, 2024:

Crews will be performing final paving operations of E. Wells Street between N. Broadway and N. Van Buren Street.

The team is scheduled to pave the westbound lane of E. Wells Street. When complete, crews will pave the
eastbound lane.

Intermittent closures will take place on intersections along E. Wells Street.

 

Project Update - Beginning Monday, October 28, 2024:

E. Wells Street between N. Broadway and N. Milwaukee Street is expected to be closed to traffic for manhole adjustments and preparations for final paving operations.

Crews will be performing corner work at the intersection of N. Milwaukee and E. Wells streets. Parking lanes near the intersection will be closed during this work. 

Final paving operations are anticipated for Friday, November 1. Intermittent closures of N. Milwaukee, N. Jefferson, N. Jackson and N. Van Buren streets will happen throughout the day. 

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Project Update - Beginning Monday, October 14, 2024:

The intersection of N. Jackson and E. Wells streets will open to southbound traffic. The intersection of N. Jefferson and E. Wells streets will be closed while the project team completes paving operations. 

• Motorists are permitted to make U-turns at E. Wells Street while traveling on E. Jefferson Street. 
• Access to the south sidewalks will be limited while crews begin reconstructing. Temporary pedestrian crosswalks will be installed to maintain access for businesses and residents. 

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Project Update - Beginning Monday, September 9, 2024:

The intersection of E. Jackson and E. Wells streets will be closed while the project team reconstructs the intersection.

• Motorists traveling south on N. Jackson Street are permitted to make U-turns at E. Wells St.
• Temporary pedestrian crosswalks are scheduled to be installed for the north-south and east-west crossings at the Jackson Street intersection. Existing pedestrian access on Wells Street, between Milwaukee and Jackson streets, will remain the same.

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Project Update - Beginning Monday, August 5, 2024:

The intersection of E. Jefferson and E. Wells streets will be closed while the project team removes concrete in and around the intersection. 

• Motorists are permitted to make U-turns at E. Wells St. while traveling on E. Jefferson St.
• The south sidewalk of E. Wells St. is expected to remain open. Access to the north sidewalk is limited. Temporary pedestrian crosswalks are scheduled to be installed west of Jefferson St. 

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Project Update - Beginning Friday, July 26, 2024:

East Wells Street will close to all traffic between North Milwaukee Street and North Van Buren Street.

• Short-term full closures of North Jefferson Street and North Jackson Street intersections will occur during construction. Notices will be provided prior to these closures.
• Motorists accessing the 770 Garage may exit onto East Wells Street and travel eastbound to North Jackson Street. Entrance to the struction will be fully maintained via East Mason Street. 

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Project Update - Beginning Wednesday July 24, 2024:

Work is scheduled to resume, with the project team beginning reconstruction fo the east portion of this project. 

• East Wells Street will be closed to motorists between North Milwaukee Street and North Van Buren Street, with one lane of eastbound traffic maintained on East Wells Street between North Jefferson Street and North Jackson Street.
• Short-term full clsoures of the North Jefferson Street and North Jackson Street intersections will occur during construction. Notices will be provided for closures. 

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Project Update - Beginning Wednesday, July 3, 2024:

All project related work on East Wells Street, between North Broadway and North Van Buren Street, will pause to accomodate events happening in the City of Milwaukee.

• East Wells Street will open to motorists and pedestrian traffic during this temporary break. 
• Work is expected to resume Monday, July 22 and continue through Fall 2024. 

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Project Update - Beginning Friday, June 28, 2024:

Northbound Milwaukee Street, from East Mason Street to East Kilbourn Street, is anticipated to close through Monday, July 1, while crews pour concrete in and around the intersection. The roadway is anticipated to reopen at the end of each work day. 

• Southbound Milwaukee Street will remain open.

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Project Update - Beginning Saturday, June 22, 2024:

Pedestrian access will shift from the south sidewalk to the north sidewalk on East Wells Street between North Broadway and North Jefferson Street. 

• The south sidewalk will not be accessible to pedestrians while it is being reconstructed. 

 

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Project Update - Beginning the week of June 10, 2024:

Southbound Milwaukee Street, from 200 feet south of East Kilbourn Avenue to East Wells Street, is scheduled to close to traffic while crews remove pavement and construct the new roadway. Southbound Milwaukee Street is anticipated to be closed from Monday, June 10 through Wednesday, June 19. 

Tuesday, June 11, 2024:

The intersection of Wells Street and Milwaukee Street is scheduled to close between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. while crews remove pavement.  

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Project Update - Beginning June 3, 2024:

North Broadway at East Wells Street is scheduled to close for approximately one week while crews work to remove pavement around the streetcar tracks.

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Construction Forecast - April 25, 2024:

The City of Milwaukee, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), is replacing East Wells Street from North Broadway to North Van Buren Street. The following work is scheduled to take place over the next two weeks.

• Roadway exvacation, including sidewalk and curb & gutter.
• Underground maintenance and repairs.

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Construction Forecast - April 8, 2024:

Over the next several weeks, crews will remove concrete including curb & gutter, and conduct underground repairs and maintenance on stormwater systems and electrical utilities. 

 

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Project Update - April 1, 2024:

Stage 1 and 2:

Traffic on East Wells Street in the following locations is scheduled to close while crews reconstruct the roadway. 

• North Broadway to North Jefferson Street
• North Jackson Street to North Van Buren Street

Bidirectional traffic will be maintained on North Broadway in every stage. 

Traffic on North Milwaukee Street is expected to experience short-term closures for work next to the streetcar track. 

 

 

COMMUNITY MEETINGS & DOCUMENTS 

The City of Milwaukee invites you to attend an important meeting regarding the East Wells Street project. 

• Wednesday, April 3, 2024 - You may attend anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. 
• Frank P. Zeidler Municipal Building, Room #102

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The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works holds public involvement meetings to receive input and share project details with residents and businesses located in the project area. 

Pre-Construction Meeting - Early Spring 2024
Purpose: Outline construction schedule, staging details, and address concerns of expected impacts

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Public Involvement Meeting #2 - June 3, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Purpose: Show feasible design options based on initial community feedback
We want you to tell us: How do the proposed designs work for you? Do the proposed designs capture what the community wants? Are we missing anything?

To join on your computer or mobile app (Microsoft teams) - Click here 

If you prefer to call in (audio only): 414-251-0392 and enter access code: 505 434 783#

• Presentation 
• Click here to view the meeting recording 

 

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Virtual Public Involvement Meeting #1 – February 9, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

The purpose of the 1st public meeting is to introduce the project, and gather community experience to start design options. We want you to tell us: How do you get around your neighborhood and where are you going? What problems do you see and experience, while walking, driving, or riding a bike? What do you like about the current street? What dont you like about it? Where is it difficult or dangerous to cross the street? What do you want to see on Wells Street?

To join on your computer or mobile app - Click here to join the meeting

If you prefer to call in (audio only): 414-251-0392 and enter code 61567128#

• Presentation 
• Meeting recording