Public Meeting Scheduled as W. National Avenue Reconstruction Project to Start

To invest in Wisconsin’s transportation system, The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the City of Milwaukee plan to rebuild 2.6 miles of W. National Avenue (WIS 59) between S. 39th Street and S. 1st Street in the City of Milwaukee. Construction will take place over three years in three segments to minimize impacts, with the first phase beginning in April 2026.

Residents, business owners, and community members are encouraged to attend an upcoming construction kick-off meeting to learn more about the project.

Meeting Details:
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
6 – 6:30 p.m., presentation | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., open house Q&A
Mitchell Park Domes (524 S. Layton Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53215)

The meeting facility is transit accessible and wheelchair accessible. Spanish-speaking interpreters will be available. Individuals who require an auxiliary aid, service, or language interpreter to participate may contact the project team at NationalAve@milwaukee.gov or by phone at 262-224-4320. For assistance through the Wisconsin Telecommunication Relay System, dial 711 and request to be connected to 262-224-4320. Please contact the project team as soon as possible to allow time to coordinate accommodations.

Traffic Impacts:
Construction for the first segment (S. 39th Street to S. 27th Street) is scheduled to begin in April 2026 and be completed in December 2026, weather permitting.

During construction, a single one-way lane of traffic will be maintained through the work zone. Westbound traffic will remain open during eastbound construction, and vice versa. Greenfield Avenue will serve as the signed detour route.

Milwaukee County Transit System Route 18 will detour via Greenfield Avenue between Miller Parkway and Layton Boulevard, serving temporary stops along the route. Transit updates are available at RideMCTS.com/Alerts or on the Umo app. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained during construction. On-street parking along National Avenue will be limited for safety, but alternative parking is available on nearby side streets and parking lots.

Planned Improvements:
The project will modernize the corridor and improve safety for all modes of transportation, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. Improvements include:

• Addition of a raised protected bike track
• Maintain Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) service and improve bus stop features
• Pedestrian safety enhancements including curb extensions, raised crosswalks, flashing beacons, and high-visibility crosswalk markings
• Replace and upgrade pedestrian curb ramps to meet ADA standards
• Improved street lighting and updated traffic signals
• Replacement of roadway pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalks, and driveway approaches
• Replacement of storm sewer infrastructure at select locations

For more information, visit the project webpage at: https://engage.milwaukee.gov/national

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.