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Presentation by Engineering Division of the staff recommended proposed design alternative for the reconstruction of North Avenue from Met-To-Wee Lane to 73rd Street, including replacing two bridges over the Menomonee River
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Submitted by:
Jennifer Schroeder, PE
Senior Civil Engineer
Department:
Department of Public Works - Engineering Division
A. Issue
Presentation by Engineering Division of the staff recommended proposed design alternative for the reconstruction of North Avenue from Met-To-Wee Lane to 73rd Street, including replacing two bridges over the Menomonee River following the first Public Involvement Meeting. This work is included in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP), Project 1127 for the roadway & Project 2301 for the bridges.
B. Background/Options
The purpose of this project is to address the deteriorated pavement condition, structural deficiencies, aged public utilities, known safety and operational issues and substandard bike and pedestrian facilities within the subject section of W. North Avenue.
GRAEF was retained in February 2024 and developed a proposed bridge type for the west bridge over the Menomonee River, two alternatives for the east bridge, three alternatives for the intersection of Menomonee River Parkway and three alternatives for the cross section of North Ave from Swan Boulevard to N 73rd Street.
All of the above alternatives were presented to the public at the first Public Involvement Meeting (PIM) that was held on October 22nd, 2024. The meeting was well attended by constituents and local officials. We received 130 comment forms back regarding the project’s alternatives and the comments we received on our social media post were generally positive. Staff took all public comments and engineering principles into account when making a recommendation on the preferred alternative.
Alternatives for the intersection of Menomonee River Parkway
1) Single lane roundabout
2) Signalized intersection - PROPOSED PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
Of the 130 comment forms, we received 58 votes for the roundabout and 72 votes for the signal. This response from the public matches the staff recommendation to move forward with a signalized intersection at North Avenue and Menomonee River Parkway. The primary reason the signal is preferred is because it is friendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists than the roundabout at this location and with respect to the 100,000+ users on the Oak Leaf Trail each year, pedestrian safety is our main focus at this intersection.
It should be noted that we are still working through the details of the possible underpass alternatives with Milwaukee County.
Alternatives for North Ave from Swan Boulevard to N 73rd Street
1) On street Bike Lanes with parking on one side
2) Separated Bike Lanes with parking on one side - PROPOSED PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
3) Two-way cycle track with parking on one side
The votes from the comment forms on the alternatives for Midtown were 10 votes for on street bike lanes, 78 votes for separated bike lanes and 42 votes for the two-way cycle track. This response from the public also matches the staff recommendation of moving forward with the separated bike lanes because it is the safest option for all users in this tight urban area of North Avenue.
In summary, staff recommends Alternative 2 for the Menomonee River Parkway intersection and Alternative 2 for the section through Midtown. We believe this recommendation best meets the goal of creating a network of infrastructure improvements to facilitate safe, convenient travel for all users of the right-of-way as outlined in the City’s Bike and Pedestrian Plan.
This project schedule has changed because of WisDOT funding limits. The construction is now planned for 2028 and 2029.
The preferred alternative will be presented to the public at the next Public Involvement Meeting which is planned to be held in Spring of 2025.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Priority 2: Public Safety, Goal 2 - Proactively address pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular safety.
Priority 3: Infrastructure, Goal 1 - Optimize infrastructure to handle 100-year weather events.
Priority 3: Infrastructure, Goal 2 - Ensure the City’s infrastructure supports public health through multi-modal transportation and recreation opportunities.
D. Fiscal Impact
All alternatives will have similar costs.
This project is partially funded through WisDOT’s Local Bridge Program and Surface Transportation Program - Urban. Eligible project costs are funded 80% federal and 20% local in each.
E. Recommendation
As part of WisDOT’s environmental process, public comment is taken into consideration when selecting a preferred alternative, but the type of bike and pedestrian facilities to provide along North Avenue is a policy decision.
Staff recommends Alternative 2 for the Menomonee River Parkway intersection and Alternative 2 for the section through Midtown be the preferred alternative for North Avenue that moves forward to the final design.