title
Presentation by Engineering Division of Public Involvement Meeting #2 (PIM) exhibits and materials for the reconstruction of North Avenue from Met-To-Wee Lane to 73rd Street, which includes replacing two bridges over the Menomonee River
body
Submitted by:
Jennifer Schroeder, PE
Senior Civil Engineer
Department:
Department of Public Works - Engineering Division
A. Issue
Presentation by Engineering Division of Public Involvement Meeting #2 (PIM) exhibits and materials for the reconstruction of North Avenue from Met-To-Wee Lane to 73rd Street, which includes replacing two bridges over the Menomonee River. 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, retained in February 2024 by the City of Wauwatosa, 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) 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.
As presented to the Committee on December 10th, 2024, staff recommended moving forward with Alternative 2, the signalized intersection for the Menomonee River Parkway intersection and Alternative 2, the separated bike lanes with parking on one side for the section through Midtown. 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. The recommendation was passed by the Committee.
Based on the staff and Committee recommendation, GRAEF has refined the proposed layout of North Avenue from Met to Wee Lane to just west of Wauwatosa Avenue. They have also developed three dimensional models of the bridges and the intersection of Menomonee River Parkway. The exhibits that are to be presented to the public at the second Public Involvement Meeting (PIM) will be included in the presentation and on display at the meeting for the Committee’s review.
The second Public Involvement Meeting (PIM) will be held on July 17th, 2025, at City Hall in the Lower Civic Center from 5:00pm - 7:00pm. This will be an open house format with no formal presentation.
This project is planned for construction in 2028 and 2029.
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
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
This is for presentation only.
(As part of WisDOT’s environmental process, public comment is taken into consideration throughout the design process.)