WisDOT Runs Out of Gas on W. Forest Home Ave. Project – Before It Even Begins

This week, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is launching the long-overdue and much-needed reconstruction of W. Forest Home Ave., spanning from Janesville Road to S. 45th St.

However, WisDOT has fallen short in their communication with Milwaukee residents and businesses. Even my office was not informed about the project’s final timetable or the scheduled public meeting that took place on March 19th. Local residents and business owners, who will be significantly affected by this months-long project, also were not notified in advance about the schedule and the parking restrictions that will have a critical impact.

The owners of Rescued Roasters, located at 4435 W. Forest Home Ave., only learned about the project when they discovered a “NO PARKING” sign placed in front of their business this past weekend. This parking ban will negatively affect their local small business, which relies on customer access. They are open Monday through Thursday from 7am-5pm; 7am-6pm Friday; 9am-3pm Saturday.

A WisDOT spokesman responded this morning, calling it an “unfortunate oversight” that their mailing did not reach all those impacted. In light of this, I’ve urged the WisDOT to follow the example set by the Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) in ensuring that clear signage is posted for affected businesses during road projects. This signage needs to be on site the same day as construction barrels – not a few days or a few weeks later! Every construction worker and DOT planner involved should make it a point to support local businesses – such as Rescued Roasters – during construction. I am personally inviting WisDOT Secretary Boardman to join me and to meet owners Ben and Brittany Essig of Rescued Roasters during this process.

While they have since apologized for this “oversight,” it is completely unacceptable for the local elected official to be ignored, especially when thousands of Milwaukee constituents will be directly affected by this major project.

It’s time for WisDOT to look both ways when paving the street!

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.