Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), celebrate the announcement of two $25 million grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, which is funded through the Biden-Harris administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The federal investment supports the National Avenue Complete Streets project in Milwaukee and the WIS 47 and WIS 55 improvement project in the Menominee Nation. The RAISE program supports surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact that are difficult to fund through other programs.
“These projects build on the momentum of the meaningful investments we’ve made in recent years to upgrade our aging infrastructure, reduce reckless driving and improve road safety in Wisconsin,” Gov. Evers said. “This investment allows us to support all transportation users and improve the quality of life in historically underserved communities. The upgrades will keep pedestrians and transit riders safer in Milwaukee and address the infrastructure and safety needs of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.”
National Avenue
The National Avenue project, in the heart of Milwaukee’s vibrant Hispanic community, redesigns a 2.6-mile segment of West National Avenue (WIS 59) between South 1st and South 39th streets. The work will modernize National Avenue into a Complete Street corridor, including separated raised bike lanes, travel lane reductions (road diet), raised crosswalks, a raised intersection, transit platforms and improved sidewalk space. The project upgrades street lighting and traffic signals, adds green infrastructure to reduce runoff entering local waterways, and improves transit stops on the corridor.
Improvements are designed to address a history of severe crashes, support alternative modes of travel and improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. WisDOT worked with the city of Milwaukee, area residents and stakeholders to develop the design to transform the busy corridor on the near south side of Milwaukee.
Menominee Nation
WisDOT is partnering with the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin to deliver the WIS 47 and WIS 55 improvement project in Menominee County, also known as the Menominee Nation. The project will resurface nearly 40 miles of road and replace about 100 culverts. Road improvements include safety features such as guardrail upgrades, centerline rumble strips, shoulder widening, and 6-inch pavement marking, as well as the relocation of a pull-off area near Markton. The project will also add multimodal improvements near Neopit, including lighting, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and sidewalk replacements.
The highways serve as the primary connections between the rural Menominee Nation and North Central Wisconsin, playing a vital role in economic development and facilitating tourism to the region, but this infrastructure is aging and requires frequent repairs.
“The National Avenue and Menominee Nation projects improve mobility, connectivity and safety for two communities whose current infrastructure conditions limit their economic opportunities,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “We sought feedback from residents and developed unique designs that will transform and modernize services to support the different needs of these urban and rural areas. The RAISE grant funding allows us to make these critical improvements a reality.”
Read more about the National Avenue and Menominee Nation projects online.