Frequently Asked Questions

Updated FAQs are indicated with an asterisk (*)

The project goals include addressing deteriorated pavement and roadway infrastructure, reducing crash rates and severity, improving transportation safety and mobility for all users, enhancing stormwater management, implementing traffic calming measures, as well as avoiding, minimizing, or mitigating environmental impacts. 

• Based on the traffic volumes and operations, the project team is proposing to rebuild West Lisbon Avenue with one travel lane in each direction. The analysis shows that West Lisbon Avenue would operate acceptably into the future with one lane in each direction. This configuration would also have safety benefits for motorists and other users. Rebuilding the roadway with two lanes in each direction would not meet the project goals. 
• Other traffic calming improvements such as curb extensions (bumpouts), raised pedestrian/bicycle crossings, pedestrian refuges, and high visibility crosswalks are being considered. 
• The project team is evaluating proving "flex space" along each side of the street. In many areas, the flex space would be used for parking, as it is now. This could include ADA-accessible parking spaces. The flex space could also be used for various uses such as curb extensions, parklets, food trucks, business deliveries, and emergency stopping. 
• Spot safety improvements are being considered as needed. This includes improvements at the curve near North 100th Street. 
• Steel monotubes traffic signal poles are being proposed as a safety improvement. 
• Bioswales are also being evaluated to improve stormwater management.
• More information on these potential improvements can be found in the Public Involvement Meeting #2 materials on the project website. 
• Other modifications related to median u-turn opening locations and driveway configurations will be evaluated as the project design progresses. 

West Lisbon Avenue is a minor arterial with approximately 11,800 vehicles per day (2019 data). The forecasted traffic is anticipated to be approximately 12,000 vehicles per day in the year 2045.

Trucking will not be restricted or limited with this project. Lisbon Avenue is classified as a minor arterial route. Minor arterials play an important role in the transportation network to move people, goods, and services between higher classification roadways and local streets. This includes trucks and other vehicles moving goods. Businesses along Lisbon Avenue also need to maintain deliveries. 

Additional stop and yield signs are not planned to be installed. Placing signs where they are not warranted can cause safety issues.

The team will be analyzing these and other alternatives and improvements, in keeping with the city, state, and federal Complete Streets policies.

The project team has received a lot of support for protected bike lanes and are taking all stakeholder input into consideration. There may be different types of bike accommodations throughout the corridor

Modifications are anticipated. The complete reconstruction of the roadway offers a good opportunity to evaluate modifications and improvements as appropriate. The project team is evaluating safety, operations, and multi-modal transportation needs for the corridor and analyzing alternatives and improvements.

The City of Milwaukee, in conjunction with Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the WisDOT Local Program.

The pavement is severely deteriorated with widespread cracking, missing pavement pieces, patches, and a rough surface. The pavement condition is rated as failed.

The project will completely reconstruct the roadway pavement and base, curb and gutter, sidewalk, ADA curb ramps, driveway aprons, storm sewer lateral pipes and inlets, traffic signals and street lighting. 

The current posted speed is 35 mph. The posted speed limit will be evaluated with the project. Traffic calming measures will also be evaluated with the project.

This will be determined as the project team analyzes safety and traffic operations. 

Side streets with stop signs would likely be minimal reconstruction. Side streets at signalized intersections (92nd Street, 84th Street, 76th Street, Burleigh Street) could have more substantial reconstruction or modifications possibly extending a few hundred feet along the side street. 

This will be determined as the project team evaluates project alternatives and would be addressed at future public involvement meetings. 

The project is planned to be constructed within the current public right of way; no real estate or easement acquisition is anticipated.

Construction permits may be needed from property owners to allow for temporary use of a small portion of a property, for the purpose of making the property compatible to the roadway. Potential examples include making a driveway slope flatter, or minor grading of lawns to better match into sidewalks. These details would be determined later in the project's design phase. 

The City of Milwaukee provides the Support for Business Program (SFB) to help businesses thrive while we make improvements to the City's infrastructure. Please see city.milwaukee.gov/dpw/infrastructure/supportforbusiness/Tools for more information

West Lisbon Avenue is anticipated to remain open to traffic during construction. Turning movements at intersections may need to be restricted at times in order to facilitate construction.

Driveways may need to be closed for short-term durations or constructed in stages. Parking on West Lisbon Avenue may not be available at certain times during construction; temporary parking permits would be available for nearby streets.

Pedestrian detours would be provided where sidewalk is being reconstructed.

These details will be evaluated throughout the project design phase and will be discussed at future public involvement meetings.

MCTS routes 66 (Burleigh Street), 76 (76th Street), and 92 (92nd Street) cross the project corridor, with bus stops at the intersections. The project team will coordinate with MCTS to allow for temporary stops during construction, and to determine modifications to stop locations as needed following construction.

There are no transit routes along West Lisbon Avenue

The project is 80% federally funded and 20% City-funded, up to the federal cost cap for the project. If that cap is exceeded, any additional cost would be 100% City-funded.

Assessments to property owners for sidewalk and driveway approach replacement in front of their property would be sent near the end of the design phase of the project. Assessments will be calculated based on the City's share of the final cost.

Since real estate or easement acquisition is not anticipated with the project, most improvements on private property outside the city's right of way should be compatible with the project. However, each case may be different, so please contact the project team to discuss the specifics at your property. 

Additional Public Involvement Meetings (PIMs) are anticipated to be held in spring/summer 2022, fall 2022, and fall 2023.

The project team is also available to attend community events to provide project updates.