The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded $25 million to reconstruct National Avenue in Milwaukee’s south side. The funding comes from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Program.
The project calls for the reconstruction of 2.6-miles, slimming the road from four to two lanes. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the city of Milwaukee Department of Public Works are leading the project.
A focus of the project is pedestrian safety and bicycle accommodation. This includes installing ADA curb ramps, improving street lighting and updating traffic signals. The project will also feature raised bike lanes, raised crosswalks, a raised intersection and improved sidewalk space.
Project planning goes back as far as 2020, according to project plans. Currently, the project is in a preliminary design phase and construction is expected to begin in 2026.
“Whether you’re taking a bus, driving, biking, or walking, every Wisconsinite deserves to feel safe on our roads,” U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said in a statement. “I was proud to support this project that will make National Avenue safer for Wisconsin families and support businesses up and down this critical corridor on Milwaukee’s South Side."
The estimated project cost would be $20-25 million. The RAISE Program is part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Source: CBS, The Daily Reporter
