W. Walnut & W. Pleasant Streets
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Project Update - November 5, 2024
Previous Project Updates
Construction Stages
Construction for the project will take place in two stages. Preparations for Stage 1 are underway.
Stage 1: Construction of the left turn lane
During this stage, DPW will remove, replace and extend the left turn lane on W. Walnut Street to M.L.K., Jr. Drive. As such, the turn lane will be closed. All other traffic will be maintained.
This stage is estimated to begin mid-April and be complete by early June.
Stage 2: Construction of the driving lane, traffic calming and bike lanes
During this stage, DPW will remove and replace the driving lane on W. Walnut Street between Vel R. Phillips Avenue and M.L.K., Jr. Drive, in addition to the traffic calming and bike lane infrastructure noted in the diagram below. The project area will remain open for one lane of motor vehicle traffic throughout the phase.
This stage is estimated to begin early June and be complete by early August.
OVERVIEW
The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) is planning a traffic safety project on W. Walnut and W. Pleasant Streets from Vel R. Phillips Avenue to N. Water Street.
The proposed improvements are designed to make it safer for people walking, biking, driving and taking transit in the area. The project will remove one eastbound driving travel lane between Vel R. Phillips Avenue and M.L.K., Jr. Drive.
Additionally, the project will:
- Add protected lanes on both sides of the street
- The eastbound bike lane from Vel R. Phillips Avenue to N. Dr. M.L.K., Jr. Street will be a raised, protected bike lane at sidewalk height
- The remaining eastbound bike lanes and all westbound bike lanes in the project area will be separated from motor vehicle traffic through delineators and pinned-on concrete
- In areas of the corridor where on-street parking will be maintained, parking lanes will be marked away from the curb and the bike lane will continue between the curb and the parked cars. These are known as "floating parking lanes" and creates a parking-protected bike lane.
- Improve functionality of the intersections of Vel R. Phillips Avenue and N. Dr. M.L.K., Jr. Street with W. Walnut Street to include high visibility crosswalks and improved signals
- Add a bus boarding island on the northwest corner of the intersection of W. Walnut and N. Dr. M.L.K., Jr. Streets
- Transform the right turn slip lane on the southwest corner of the intersection of W. Walnut and N. Dr. M.L.K., Jr. Streets into a bioswale. Bioswales are landscaped areas with native plants designed to absorb moisture from rain and snow, and slowly release it into the sewer system.
- Install two speed humps on Vel R. Phillips Ave on the blocks north and south of W. Galena Street
- Install a raised crosswalk at the intersection of N. Dr. M.L.K., Jr. Street and W. Galena Street to make crossing the street safer near Golda Meir's Upper Campus
PROJECT SCHEDULE
Construction for this project is underway. Please view the "PROJECT UPDATES" tab of this webpage for the latest updates on construction impacts and schedule.
MAP
PROJECT FACTS
- After completion, this corridor of W. Walnut Street and W. Pleasant Street will have one driving travel lane and one protected bike lane in each direction.
- This project will continue the reckless driving mitigation efforts of the 2023 projects completed on W. Walnut Street from N. 20th Street to Vel R. Phillips Avenue
FUNDING
This project is funded through Tax Incremental District (TID) 48.