Milwaukee’s unofficial fifth season gets underway

I would like to officially welcome everyone to orange barrel season – our fifth unofficial season!

Ah yes, that magical time of year when the snow melts, the birds chirp, and the streets are overtaken by those mighty orange barrels. If you thought winter was rough, buckle up, because now the detours are multiplying, lanes are disappearing, and your favorite shortcut? Gone.

Some say orange barrels are a temporary inconvenience. Others believe they migrate from city to city, never truly leaving. Either way, they’re here, and there’s no avoiding them. So let’s all remember the basics: SLOW down, stay ALERT, and resist the urge to yell, “Was this really necessary?!” at a construction zone. Trust me, the barrels never respond.

On the bright side, orange barrel season also means biking season is back! After spending last year on the injured list recovering from an achilles rupture, I’m finally back on two wheels, ready to pedal all around the city while making up for lost time. If you’re biking, stay VISIBLE, use bike lanes when possible, and wear a HELMET. If you’re driving, give cyclists plenty of SPACE, check your blind spots, and please, for the love of all things good, don’t door us.

Construction season may test our patience, but let’s keep things safe for workers, drivers, and everyone on the road. And, if you’re wondering when all the road work will be done… just remember, orange barrels never truly leave us, they just go into hibernation.

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.