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WIS 181 project - need

WIS 181 (North 76th Street) is a major urban transportation route serving both local and regional traffic in the northwest area of the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County. The section between West Florist Avenue and West County Line Road was last reconstructed in 1968. Maintenance costs to fill pavement cracks and clean out clogged storm water drains have been increasing. 

WIS 181 has three lanes of traffic in each direction. An average of 30,000 vehicles per day travels on WIS 181 south of Brown Deer Road and about 12,000 vehicles per day north of Brown Deer Road. Milwaukee County Transit System operates bus route #67 with 34 bus stops and 165 buses per day along this route as well. 

The WIS 181 project will correct three main deficiencies:

1. Deteriorating road pavement

   Nearly 40 percent of the 4.5 miles of pavement needs repair because of cracking and deteriorated joints. The deterioration includes uneven pavement slabs and potholes, creating safety issues for drivers and motorcyclists attempting to avoid these areas.

2. Limited pedestrian access

   In some locations, pedestrians are using dirt paths or the roadway itself because of the lack of sidewalk.

3. Poor roadway drainage

   The existing 300 storm water inlets have frequent blockages and create a safety concern with pooling water within the travel lanes during heavy rains.

Questions about the content of this page:
Contact Dennis Shook, sewicommuter@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: April 1, 2008