2009 Road & Trail Construction in District 18
from County Supervisor Johnny L. Thomas
April 10, 2009
Major improvements to Milwaukee County highways are happening this spring, summer, and fall. In the northwest sector of the county, which includes County Supervisory District 18, reconstruction will occur on W. Good Hope Road and W. Silver Spring Drive. Last year’s reconstruction of Mill Road will be completed, as well.
While there will be occasional slow traffic on these routes, the Milwaukee County Highway Department is striving to carry out the safest possible operation with the least possible inconvenience to users of the roads. My office is committed to doing the best we possibly can to ensure that any potential delays or other issues with these heavily traveled roads are resolved – before they occur or as soon as possible.
We will attempt to keep District 18 neighborhood groups, business associations, and churches informed of any significant changes in the construction plans and any events to be aware of. Feel free to contact me at 278-4259 or johnny.thomas@milwcnty.com with any questions or concerns regarding road construction or other county issues. Underlined portions are revisions made since the last road construction report.
Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable spring.
Sincerely,
Johnny L. Thomas
Milwaukee County Supervisor, District 18
(414) 278-4259
johnny.thomas@milwcnty.com
Mill Road
Last year’s major reconstruction of Mill Road is to resume at the beginning of May. The tasks include completing the concrete pads at bus stops, laying the top layer of pavement, and painting the lines. The project is to be finished by the middle of June.
Good Hope Road
This is a major project. Beginning the first week of April, Good Hope Road (County Road PP) will undergo major reconstruction from 76th Street to 107th Street. The road will be open to traffic the entire time. However, when the lanes on one side of the median are under construction, the lanes on the other side will have two-way traffic.
From approximately April 22 to July 20, with construction in the westbound lanes, there will be two-way traffic in eastbound lanes. From about July 20 to October 30, construction will happen in the eastbound lanes, and two-way traffic will be switched to the westbound lanes. Construction will cease for Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day weekends. The project is to be completed by the end of November.
Although the roadwork on Good Hope will be less extensive than last year’s Mill Road project, it will involve many components: milling and rubblizing existing pavement, spot curb and gutter replacement, asphalt overlay, reconstruction of left turn lanes, installation of sloped median “noses,” repair and installation of storm sewer structures, and signing.
The bridge over the Little Menomonee River, just west of 91st Street will be part of the Good Hope reconstruction. Crews will replace the bridge’s deck, repair its substructure, and rehabilitate the eroding banks adjacent to it.
Good Hope Road from 99th to 107th Street will continue to be six lanes wide: two driving lanes each way and an outer lane in each direction that will serve as a shoulder. Currently, the plan is for the outer lane each way to be striped, to indicate clearly that it is not a driving lane. Before the plan is “set in stone,” we are asking residents in that area to contact us and tell us whether they think those lanes should be striped, whether those lanes should be no-parking zones, and why. To express your view, please call or email my office at 278-4259 or johnny.thomas@milwcnty.com.
Farther east, Good Hope Road between N. Port Washington Road and the Milwaukee River will be reconstructed this year, as well.
Silver Spring Drive
Starting the week of April 20, W. Silver Spring Drive is being reconstructed from N. 90th Street to the county line at N. 124th Street. An open-house-style public information meeting about the construction will be held on April 15, 4:30-6:00 PM, at Hyatt Place, 11777 W. Silver Spring.
The work will involve milling and rubblizing existing pavement, concrete pavement, concrete curb and gutter, concrete sidewalk, repair and installation of storm sewer and erosion-control items, placement of riprap, marking pavement, and signing. At approximately 107th Street, the bridge over the Little Menomonee River is being reconstructed. Improvements will be made at the Hwy. 41 intersection and the Hwy. 45 overpass, as well.
With construction in the westbound lanes, there will be two-way traffic in the eastbound lanes, and vice versa. Approximately the second week of July, traffic will be switched from one side of the median to the other, to allow reconstruction on the opposite side.
Bus and pedestrian access is to be maintained during construction. Potential traffic backups onto Hwy. 41 will be avoided through the timing of the traffic signals. Construction will cease for Memorial Day weekend (May 22-25), Independence Day weekend (July 3-6), and Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4-7). The project is to be completed by the end of October.
Forty new trees will be planted. Measures are being taken to protect endangered snakes, turtles, and nests of swallows.
The Oak Leaf Trail
The Milwaukee County Parks Department has informed me that the paved trail used by joggers and cyclists in our part of the county is being rebuilt this year. The portions of the Oak Leaf Trail that have at times been under water are being raised. Detour signs will indicate alternative routes for users to take during the construction.
Road Projects by the City of Milwaukee
The projects listed above are carried out by Milwaukee County. The City of Milwaukee will not have crews or machinery engaged in these projects, except to ensure that certain utility lines are maintained. However, the City of Milwaukee will be carrying out other road projects. To facilitate traffic flow at the busy intersection of Good Hope Road and 91st Street, the City’s Department of Public Works will add left-turn lanes there, set off by concrete medians. I hope to include City road projects in updates I send to you, but your City Alderman (286-2221) will be best able to provide that information.
State Highway Projects
The Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation (WISDOT) will also be carrying out highway projects this year. Currently, I am aware that the state will rebuild Brown Deer Road between the Milwaukee River and Green Bay Road. That project will begin in early April and is to be finished in late November.
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