Downtown Milwaukee's North Water Street, a busy area with bars, restaurants, and cultural sites, is being considered for an upgrade to improve safety and traffic flow. City engineers and local residents are discussing potential designs for the needed changes to the street.
The section between Kilbourn Avenue and Pleasant Street is being examined due to concerns about reckless driving and safety for cyclists, pedestrians, and bus riders. This area sees over 17,817 vehicles daily and serves four Milwaukee County Transit System routes. "I think there are ways that the street itself can do a better job of supporting everything that's around it," City Engineer Kevin Muhs said. Proposed plans include concrete-protected bike lanes, separated bus lanes, and improved sidewalks, according to WTMJ.
The first stage of public engagement began with an open house, where residents voiced concerns and offered suggestions about the street. Mitchell Johnstone, a local resident, told FOX6 News, "I think there is a lot of fast moving vehicles, especially late at night," pinpointing the core issue of unsafe speeds. Not everyone agrees with the proposed changes. Ty Madlock, for example, stated, "I feel that Water Street should make no changes."
The redesign of this downtown corridor focuses on improving walkability, reducing vehicular speed, and enhancing the transit experience. These changes aim to benefit both existing businesses and potential future establishments along the route. Local resident Lindsay Dahl emphasized the need for safety, stating, "Any way that we can be any safer, a divider or anything, it helps. It's just such a game of survival with cars. You always have to watch them because they're potential weapons." The city is considering options like right-side bus-only lanes or a center-running bus corridor to prioritize safety and better serve the community, in a statement acquired by WISN.
