Project Overview

The City of Milwaukee, in partnership with Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), is reconstructing N. Lake Drive from E. Newberry Boulevard to E. Edgewood Avenue.

N. Lake Drive is a connecting highway (STH 32), classified as a principal arterial, with a posted speed limit of 30 MPH and no existing bus routes.

  • Average Daily Traffic Count
    • E. Newberry Blvd to E. Kenwood Blvd: 6,100 vehicles
    • E. Kenwood Blvd to E. Edgewood Ave.: 19,000 vehicles
  • Right of Way: 100 ft
  • Roadway Width
    • E. Newberry Blvd to E. Kenwood Blvd: 44 ft
    • E. Kenwood Blvd to E. Hampshire St: 62 ft
    • E. Hampshire St. to E. Edgewood Ave: 46 ft

Project Goals

  • Upgrade pavement conditions and traffic signals
  • Better organize all modes of traffic
  • Manage driving speeds
  • Improve visibility for all users
  • Make travel safe and comfortable for everyone
  • Preserve historic features along the roadway

Scope of Work

  • Removing and replacing deteriorated pavement, curb and gutter, driveway approaches and sidewalk
  • Pedestrian curb ramps will be built to meet ADA compliance
  • Pedestrian and bike accommodations will be enhanced
  • Drainage structures, street lighting and traffic signals will also be upgraded

Construction Phases

Construction for the project will be completed in two phases over two years. Access to the Oak Leaf Trail (along the east limits of the project) will remain open at all times. Access to business and residences will be maintained.

  • Phase 2 (2025 Construction)

    N. Lake Drive, between E. Newberry Boulevard and E. Kenwood Boulevard, is scheduled to be reconstructed in 3 stages. One southbound lane will be maintained for local traffic only.

  • Phase 1 (2024 Construction)

    N. Lake Drive, between E. Kenwood Boulevard and E. Edgewood Avenue, is scheduled to be reconstructed in 3 stages. One southbound lane will be maintained for local traffic only.

Funding

Total construction cost is approximately $8 million dollars. Approximate breakdown:

  • Preliminary Engineering
    • 75% cost covered by State
    • 25% cost covered by the City
  • Construction Costs
    • 88% cost covered by the State
    • 12% cost covered by the City (based on parking lanes - costs will be revised with final design)

Project Updates

Community Meetings

Pre-Construction Meeting #2 - July 11, 2024

An open-house-style meeting was held for residents and businesses to attend and ask questions about construction staging and activities during the project.

Pre-Construction Meeting #1 - June 5, 2024

A public meeting was held to provide information regarding construction staging and schedule.

PIM #2 - April 20, 2022

At the second meeting, the project team provided an overview of the project and presented roadway design alternatives based on initial community feedback.
Watch PIM #2 open in new window

PIM #1 - July 15, 2020

The first meeting provided an overview of the project and schedule; and was an opportunity for the public to share their experiences, ideas and concerns to help start the design process.
Watch PIM #1 open in new window

Design Plans & Parking Studies

Final Design Plans

North Segment: E. Hampshire St. to E. Edgewood Ave.

Visualization of final design of N. Lake Drive between Hampshire and Edgewood

Middle Segment: E. Kenwood Blvd. to E. Hampshire St.

Final design of N. Lake Drive between Kenwood and Hampshire

South Segment: E. Newberry Blvd. to E. Kenwood Blvd.

Final design of N. Lake Drive between Newberry and Kenwood

Parking Studies

A parking study was conducted on N. Lake Drive from E. Newberry Boulevard to E. Kenwood Boulevard in April 2021. Results of the study:

Another parking study was conducted to capture current parking usage throughout the project limits which will help evaluate design options. Results of the second parking study can be found here.