LOCUST STREET
RECONDITION PROJECT
- OVERVIEW
- COMMUNITY MEETINGS & DOCUMENTS
- CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
- CONTACT US
OVERVIEW
The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works and Wisconsin Department of Transportation are reconditioning East/West Locust Street from North 7th Street to North Holton Street. E/W Locust Street was constructed in the 1960s and rehabilitated in 1996 and 2003. Approximately 30,500 vehicles travel between North 7th Street and North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and approximately 22,400 travel between North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and North Holton Street per day.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
The project team is currently in the construction phase, anticipating completion in Fall 2024. Bi-directional traffic will be open throughout the duration of the project. Pedestrian access will be maintained. Parking will be eliminated on Locust Street during construction.
SCOPE OF WORK
The proposed reconditioning project consists of the following activities:
- Mill and overlay existing pavement
- Curb ramp replacements to meet ADA compliance
- Addition of pinned concrete islands at select intersections
- Minor concrete median improvements to improve pedestrian safety
- Replacement of curb & gutter, sidewalks, and driveway approaches in select locations
- Lighting replacement
- Traffic signal replacement
- Updating crosswalk markings to facilitate pedestrian movement
FUNDING
The estimated cost is $4.13 million. Federal aid will pay for 80% of the cost, and the City will pay the remaining 20%.
Property assessments were distributed to property owners near the end of the design stage. Assessments to owners include sidewalk and driveway approach replacement in front of their property. Assessments are calculated for sidewalk and driveway replacement based on the City’s share of the final cost.
MAP
COMMUNITY MEETINGS & DOCUMENTS
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.
Virtual Public Involvement Meeting – June 29, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Project Update - Roadway Open to Traffic
The City of Milwaukee has completed the reconstruction of East/West Locust Street between North 7th Street and North Holton Street for 2024. 
Project Update - Intersection Closure
Tuesday, October 15, 2024:
The intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Locust Street is anticipated to close from approximately 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to complete paving operations.
- Barricades will be placed early in the morning preventing northbound traffic on MLK Jr. Drive between Center and Locust streets. Please see map for details.
- Motorists are able to travel southbound between Locust Street and Center Street on MLK Jr. Drive.
Project Update - Traffic Update
Beginning Wednesday, September 11, 2024:
Locust Street is scheduled to close to traffic between North Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and North Holton Street through mid October 2024.
- Eastbound traffic will be closed to complete concrete work on curbs and sidewalks.
- Westbound traffic will be closed between N. Holton Street and N. Buffum Street for resurfacing work.
- Traffic on Locust Street from N. 7th Street to N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive will remain open in each direction.
Detour:
Motorists are encouraged to use N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Center, Street and N. Humboldt Boulevard to get around the closure. Please see map for details.
August Two-Week Look Ahead:
- Installing underground electrical equipment
- Forming curb & gutter systems
- Pouring concrete to shape walkway ramps
August Two-Week Look Ahead:
- Installing underground electrical equipment
- Constructing curb & gutter systems
June Two-Week Look Ahead:
- Removal of existing roadway
- Concrete base patch removal and saw cutting
Project Update - Juneteenth Celebrations
Wednesday, June 19, 2024:
The 53rd annual Juneteenth Jubilee parade route is expected to intersect with the E/W Locust Street reconstruction project. All project related work along Locust Street will pause in observation of Juneteenth.
Beginning Thursday, June 20, 2024:
Traffic on Locust Street, between North 7th Street and North Holton Street, is scheduled to shift to the newly constructed westbound lanes. Crews will begin work on the eastbound lanes.
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Bi-directional traffic will be maintained along the newly constructed westbound lanes.
Project Update
Beginning Friday, June 14, 2024
The intersection of North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Locust Street is anticipated to close from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to begin paving.
- Barricades are expected to be placed at Burleigh Street and MLK Jr. Drive early Friday morning preventing southbound traffic between Burleigh Street and Locust Street on MLK Jr. Drive.
May Two-Week Look Ahead:
- Adjusting manholes and storm drains at 1st and 2nd streets
- Reconstructing sidewalk and curb ramps between 1st Street and MLK Jr. Drive
- Concrete cutting and removal; pavement patching between 7th and Holton streets
April Two-Week Look Ahead:
- Reconstructing sidewalk ramps, curb & gutter
- Concrete saw cutting and repatching of pavement
- Underground electrical work
April Two-Week Look Ahead:
- Milling and removal of roadway pavement
- Underground electrical work
- Concrete saw cutting and repatching of pavement
- Prepping for sidewalk and curb reworking
Project Overview
Pre-Stage: Beginning Tuesday, March 26, 2024:
E/W Locust Street, between North Buffum Street and North Holton Street, is scheduled to close to traffic for one week as crews prepare for Stage 1 of construction.
- Westbound traffic will be detoured to use North Holton Street, West Burleigh Street and North Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.
- Eastbound traffic will be detoured to use North Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, West Center Street and North Holton Street.
Stage 1: Westbound Lanes (Anticipated to begin April 1, 2024)
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During stage 1 of construction, westbound traffic on E/W Locust Street, between North 7th Street and North Holton Street, is scheduled to shift to the eastbound lanes. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained.
Stage 2: Eastbound Lanes (Anticipated to begin July 2024)
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During stage 2 of construction, eastbound traffic on E/W Locust Street, between North 7th Street and North Holton Street, is scheduled to shift to the westbound lanes. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained.
Stage 3: Median Reconstruction, North Buffum Street to North Holton Street (Fall 2024)
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During stage 3 of construction, E/W Locust Street, between North Buffum Street and North Holton Street, is scheduled to close to traffic for approximately 6 weeks. Westbound traffic will be detoured to West Burleigh Street. Eastbound traffic will be detoured to West Center Street.
