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N. LAKE DRIVE
REPLACEMENT PROJECT

ATTENTION: As of February 2025, this project page will now be maintained on EngageMKE at the URL engage.milwaukee.gov/lake-drive. 

  • OVERVIEW
  • CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
  • COMMUNITY MEETINGS & DOCUMENTS
  • DESIGN PLANS & PARKING STUDY
  • CONTACT US

Map of N. Lake Drive project areaPROJECT OVERVIEW

The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works and Wisconsin Department of Transportation are reconstructing N. Lake Drive from E. Newberry Boulevard to E. Edgewood Avenue (.85 mile). The scope of work includes removing and replacing deteriorated pavement, curb and gutter, 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.

GOALS

  • Upgrade pavement conditions and traffic signals
  • Better organize all modes of traffic 
  • Manage driving speeds
  • Improve visibility for all users
  • Make travel safe and comfortable for everyone
  • Preserve historic features along the roadway

SCHEDULE

Construction began in late summer of 2024. Additional details can be found on the "Construction Updates" tab. 

FUNDING

Total construction cost is approximately $8 million dollars. Approximate Breakdown: 

  • Preliminary Engineering
    • 75% cost covered by State
    • 25% cost covered by the City
  • Construction Costs
    • 88% cost covered by the State 
    • 12% cost covered by the City
      (based on parking lanes - costs will be revised with final design)

 

DESIGN PLANS

FACTS

  • N. Lake Drive is a connecting highway (STH 32), classified as a principal arterial
  • Average Daily Traffic Count
    • E. Newberry Blvd to E. Kenwood Blvd: 6,100 vehicles
    • E. Kenwood Blvd to E. Edgewood Ave.: 19,000 vehicles
  • Posted speed: 30 mph
  • No existing bus routes
  • Right of Way: 100 ft
  • Roadway Width
    • E. Newberry Blvd to E. Kenwood Blvd: 44 ft
    • E. Kenwood Blvd to E. Hampshire St: 62 ft
    • E. Hampshire St. to E. Edgewood Ave: 46 ft

Project Update - December 12, 2024

View in new tab

 

Previous Project Updates

Construction Phases

Construction for the project will be completed in two phases over two years. Access to the Oak Leaf Trail (along the east limits of the project) will remain open at all times. 

Phase 1 (2024 Construction) - N. Lake Drive, between E. Kenwood Boulevard and E. Edgewood Avenue, is scheduled to be reconstructed in 3 stages. One southbound lane will be maintained for local traffic only. 



Phase 2 (2025 Construction) - N. Lake Drive, between E. Newberry Boulevard and E. Kenwood Boulevard, is scheduled to be reconstructed in 3 stages. One southbound lane will be maintained for local traffic only.

Access to business and residences will be maintained. 

 

COMMUNITY MEETINGS & DOCUMENTS

Pre-Construction Informational Meeting #2

An open-house style meeting regarding the N. Lake Drive reconstruction project will be held on Thursday, July 11 between 4-6 p.m. at the UWM SCE Edith S. Hefter Conference Center. Residents and businesses are encouraged to attend the meeting and ask questions about construction staging and activities during this project. Construction is anticipated to start Monday, July 22. 

Pre-Construction Meeting #2 Invitation

Pre-Construction Informational Meeting #1

A public meeting was held on June 5, 2024 at the UWM SCE Edith S. Hefter Conference Center from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works provided information regarding construction staging and schedule. 

Project Overview

Public Involvement Meeting #2 
The second public involvement meeting was held virtually on April 20, 2022 via Microsoft teams from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and an open house (in-person) meeting was held on April 21, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The project team provided an overview of the project and presented roadway design alternatives based on initial community feedback.

Public Involvement Meeting #1

The first public involvement meeting was held virtually on July 15, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The project team provided an overview of the project and schedule, and most importantly, it was an opportunity for the public share their experience, ideas and concerns to help start the design process. It was a great turn out for a virtual meeting, over 40 people participated.

FINAL DESIGN PLANS

North Segment: E. Hampshire St. to E. Edgewood Ave.

Middle Segment: E. Kenwood Blvd. to E. Hampshire St.

South Segment: E. Newberry Blvd. to E. Kenwood Blvd.

PARKING STUDY

A parking study was conducted on North Lake Drive from East Newberry Boulevard to East Kenwood Boulevard in April 2021. Results of the study:

Another parking study was conducted to capture current parking usage throughout the project limits which will help evaluate design options. Results of the second parking study can be found here. 

EXISTING CONDITIONS & PROPOSED DESIGN PLANS

The project engineers presented the following proposed design plans at the 2nd Public Involvement Meetings held April 20-21, 2022. Design alternatives are provided in 3 segments:
 

North Segment: E. Hampshire St. to E. Edgewood Ave.

Existing Section: Roadway width is 46 ft

  • 10-ft travel lane in each direction

  • 5-ft on street bike lane in each direction

  • 8-ft parking lane on each side

  • 6-ft sidewalk on each side

Proposed Preferred Section: Roadway width to remain 46 ft

  • 11-ft travel lane in each direction

  • 5-ft on street bike lane in each direction

  • 7-ft parking lane on each side

  • 6-ft sidewalk on each side

Middle Segment: E. Kenwood Blvd. to E. Hampshire St.

Existing Section: Roadway width is 62 ft

  • Two northbound travel lanes (10-ft each)

  • 4-ft wide concrete median

  • One southbound travel lane (10-ft)

  • Two southbound left turn lanes at Lincoln Memorial Drive (10-ft each)

  • 4-ft on street bike lane in each direction

  • 6-ft sidewalk on each side

  • No parking

Proposed Preferred Section: Roadway width to remain 62 ft

  • Two southbound turning lanes (10-ft each, with 1-ft gutter pan)

  • 11-ft southbound travel lane

  • 6-ft on street bike lane in each direction

  • 6-ft median

  • 11-ft northbound travel lane with 1-ft gutter pan

  • 6-ft sidewalk on each side

South Segment: E. Newberry Blvd. to E. Kenwood Blvd.

Existing Section: Roadway width is 44 ft

  • 10-ft travel lane in each direction

  • 5-ft on-street bike lane in each direction

  • 7-ft parking lane on each side

  • 6-ft sidewalk on west side of the street

Design Alternative 1: Roadway width remains 44 ft

  • 10-ft travel lane in each direction

  • 8-ft parking lane on east side
    *parking removed on west side

  • 5-ft on-street bike lane with 3-ft buffer zone in each direction

  • 6-ft sidewalk on west side of the street

Design Alternative 2: Roadway width is widen to 48 ft (4-ft on east side)

  • 11-ft travel lane in each direction

  • 5-ft on-street bike lane in each direction

  • 8-ft parking lane on each side

  • 6-ft sidewalk on west side of the street

Design Alternative 3: Roadway width is narrowed to 36 ft (Bike lanes behind curb)

  • 10-ft travel lane in each direction

  • 8-ft parking lane on each side

  • 5-ft terrace

  • 6.5-ft separated, off-street bike lane in each direction

  • 6-ft sidewalk on west side of the street     

PROJECT CONTACT

Eric Miller, Public Involvement
[email protected]
262-933-0467