MILWAUKEE — The City of Milwaukee is asking residents for feedback on the 'final preferred design' for a project along Oklahoma Avenue. Supporters of the plan say improvements will decrease speeding vehicles, increase walkability, better organize traffic, and create 'on-street bicycle connections'.
What is the proposal?
According to the proposal for the "Oklahoma Ave Multimodal Improvements" project, infrastructure improvements would be made along W. Oklahoma Ave. from 27th Street to 6th Street.
Read the one-sheet for the plan below:
According to a website for the proposal, "This segment is 1.5 miles long and includes 6 signalized intersections. The improvements may include pedestrian crossing islands, curb extensions, bus bulbs, crosswalk markings, lane striping changes, buffered or protected bike lanes, and signage to make the street safer and more comfortable for everyone, whether they are walking, biking, taking transit, or driving. The design for the project will include a comprehensive public engagement process to determine exactly which improvements at which locations will best meet the needs of the community.
This project will have numerous benefits, including creating safer crossings for pedestrians, reducing crashes, increasing walking, biking, and transit use, and improving public health," according to the proposal.
How do I give feedback?
According to the city, you can submit your feedback by engaging in conversation on the project website, or speaking with DPW staff at the following events:
- KKRNIA Monthly Meeting – Tuesday, May 9th from 6pm-7pm at the Pulaski Park Pavillion
- Virtual Office Hours – Thursday, May 11th from 6pm to 8pm via this Teams link
- District 2 Safety Meeting – Tuesday, May 17th from 6pm to 7pm
Watch and read TMJ4's previous reporting below:
Community weighs in on future safety improvements on Oklahoma Ave.
By Sarah McGrew, Nov 10, 2022
The City of Milwaukee is starting a project to improve safety along Oklahoma Ave. between 27th and 6th streets. Mike Amsden with the Department of Public Works (DPW) says the corridor is on the city's pedestrian high-injury network.
"Which means it sees a high number of serious injuries and fatal pedestrian crashes compared to other streets in the city," Amsden explained.
That fact comes as no surprise to Tracy Alvarez who has lived in the neighborhood for 16 years. Her kids grew up going to Zablocki Elementary School on Oklahoma and 10th.
"I don't drive on Oklahoma or 13th, and I live right here. I use it the least amount possible. I'd rather detour and go safer. My kids, I tell them not to walk on Oklahoma or 13th either," Alvarez said about the reckless driving in the area.
She was at a community meeting and walk hosted by DPW to get community input about potential safety improvements. During the walk, residents expressed the most frustration when using the crosswalks to get across Oklahoma. Cars rarely and reluctantly stopped for the walkers.
"That's really scary. Imagine being a child trying to get to school. There's actually been cross guards that have been hit," Alvarez said. "There's businesses on the corner, so you have kids running across to go get a soda or ice cream. You have elderly walking to Walgreens... but they have to play chicken or frog going across the street just to do a simple errand."
The city said improving pedestrian safety is its number one goal, but is looking to improve safety all around for bikers, drivers, and users of public transportation.
"Things like adding bump-outs or pedestrian refuge islands, perhaps taking out a lane of traffic in each direction," Amsden said about some of the plans the city has in mind. "Anything we can do to bring speeds down to speeds that are appropriate.
Thursday's community meeting and walk was the first step in the plan to improve safety. The city hopes to complete the project by 2024. For information and to get involved with potential improvements, head to EngageMKE.com.
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