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Request by Donald Michna of Catalyst Construction for a three day full road closure in the 7400 block of Harwood Avenue
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Submitted by:
Jennifer Stilling
Department:
Public Works (Engineering Services Division)
A. Issue
The applicant has requested a full Harwood Avenue road closure within the 7400 block for a period of three days. The closure is tentatively scheduled for December 15-17, 2025.
B. Background/Options
The location of the proposed road closure is attached.
Once the rough carpentry is completed at the 7474 Harwood Avenue residential multi-family redevelopment, the south crane will be demobilized. To complete this process, a separate crane will be mobilized and erected within the roadway on Harwood Avenue in the designated purple-shaded area. This crane will then lift and load the south crane components onto flatbed trucks for removal. This operation will require the full width of the roadway to ensure a safe and controlled demobilization. The sidewalk on the south side of Harwood Avenue will remain open and accessible to pedestrians throughout the closure duration.
The applicant will be required to provide at least one week of notice to area businesses, the Village BID, and local Alderpersons. Engineering must be provided documentation of the notice.
Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) has a bus route that utilizes Harwood Avenue. The applicant will be required to coordinate with MCTS regarding detour routes.
In addition to the signage shown on the attached plan, Engineering recommends that the following must be provided:
• The left turn lane at southbound Wauwatosa Avenue to eastbound Harwood Avenue movement must be closed with the appropriate traffic control barrels and no left turn sign.
• A no right turn sign for northbound Wauwatosa Ave at Harwood Avenue.
• A “Local Traffic Only, No Access to Wauwatosa Ave” at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue, Harwood Avenue, and N. 73rd Street.
Engineering provided the attached plan to the Fire and Police Department and Public Works Operations. Fire has requested that a Knox box be installed in the construction fencing so that the Department will still have access to the existing public fire hydrant within the closure. The Police Department did not have any concerns with the request. If it snows during the requested road closure, Public Works Operations will plow up to the construction fence, but the applicant will be required to clear any snow within the closure and any piles at the construction fence. When the enclosure is removed, the applicant will be required to coordinate with Public Works so that City crews can clean up and salt the area as it is opened to the public.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Priority Area One: Economic Development & Financial Resilience
D. Fiscal Impact
No impact to the City of Wauwatosa.
E. Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Public Works grant the temporary three-day Harwood Avenue road closure subject to the following:
• The applicant providing documentation of notice to area businesses, Village BID, and local Alderpersons.
• Coordination with MCTS regarding detour routes.
• Applicant must provide the signage shown on the plan and as noted in this staff report. Signage must be maintained by the applicant during the road closure duration.
• A Knox box must be installed in the construction fencing for Fire Department access to the existing public fire hydrant within the closure.
• Applicant must clear any snow within the closure and any snow piles at the construction fence.