Overview:
Wisconsin Avenue is a five-lane street that handles a significant amount of quick moving traffic. Limited sidewalks and no bicycle lanes created a hazardous situation for pedestrians and bicyclists. The area also lacked any identity in the form of landscaping, streetscaping, and other pedestrian amenities.
Ruekert/Mielke transportation engineers worked together with the Village to redesign Wisconsin Avenue into an inviting destination for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. Our landscape architects added limited boulevards throughout the project area to slow traffic and allow for landscaping that softens the visual appearance of the road. Streetscaping included: 24 benches, extensive garden areas and stamped and colored concrete to accent design features and the addition of 140 trees.
5,600 feet of roadway has been completely reconstructed. All sanitary sewer, water lines and storm sewers were upgraded during construction. The result is a revitalized commercial district that defines a new image for the Village of Grafton.
Unusual Facts:
The Village of Grafton knew that Wisconsin Avenue needed not only utility upgrades, but also a complete facelift. Of prime concern was the speed at which traffic moved through the commercial district. Village Staff attended a client seminar at Ruekert/Mielke on traffic calming to get some ideas on how to incorporate speed controls into the reconstructed roadway design.
The seminar was the impetus for the redesign of the roadway. Not only were traffic calming measures incorporated into the reconstruction, but enhancements for pedestrians and bicyclists were also included. The dedicated bicycle lanes were important to the Village because the Ozaukee County Interurban Trail connects in Grafton. This 30-mile paved trail links the Ozaukee County communities of Mequon, Thiensville, Cedarburg, Grafton, Port Washington and Belgium. The redesigned Wisconsin Avenue provides cyclists safe access through the commercial district.