Project Overview
The City of Milwaukee - Department of Public Works (DPW), in partnership with the Brady Street Business Improvement District (BID), is making improvements to E. Brady Street between N. Cass Street and N. Warren Avenue to reduce speeding and make the street safer for people walking, driving, and visiting Brady Street.
The improvements will be completed in phases:- Phase 1 – Humboldt & Brady Traffic Signal Pilot [December 2025 – January 2026, with possible extension]
- Phase 2 – E. Brady Street Traffic Calming [Fall 2026]
Phase 1 – Humboldt & Brady All-Red Flashing Traffic Signal Pilot
DPW will initiate a 30-day pilot of an all-red flashing traffic signal at Brady and Humboldt. This will turn the signal into a four-way stop at the intersection. The goals of this pilot are to reduce the number of people speeding as they approach the intersection, reduce the instances of people running red lights, and increase the feeling of safety for people crossing the street at the intersection.
During the pilot, DPW will gather the following data to determine success:
- Yield compliance to people crossing at the intersection
- Traffic congestion during peak periods
- Community feedback via survey below
If the pilot is deemed successful, DPW will continue the all-red flash for at least another 60 days and continue to review feedback. If the 90+ day pilot is deemed successful, DPW will decommission and remove the traffic signals at this intersection and install all-way stop signs. DPW anticipates this work occurring later in 2026.
If there are significant safety or traffic issues at any point during the pilot phase, DPW will return the intersection to a regular signal operation.
Phase 2 – E. Brady Street Traffic Calming
DPW is developing preliminary design alternatives for traffic calming improvements on E. Brady Street to reduce speeding and make it easier and safer to walk along and across the street. Improvements being considered are raised crosswalks, speed tables, and pinned-on bumpouts. DPW will work with the BID to finalize a preferred design with the goal of constructing these improvements later in 2026.
These targeted improvements will not require full reconstruction of the street, and construction impacts will be minimal.
