flooding near jackson park and 43rd street

43RD STREET DITCH PROJECT

PROJECT UPDATE

Construction for Phase 1 is anticipated to begin in Fall 2026. Construction is expected to last at least one year. During this time, eastbound traffic on W. Lincoln Avenue between S. 43rd Street and S. 38th Street is anticipated to be reduced to one lane. Additional details on the construction schedule and traffic impacts will be shared as work approaches.

Para leer en español, vaya a la esquina derecha superior de la pagina, seleccione el idioma (en el móvil, el icono del cubo “A”) y cambie a español.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is partnering with the City of Milwaukee and others to make improvements along the Kinnickinnic River and connecting streams, including the 43rd Street Ditch.

The 43rd Street Ditch is a watercourse that collects and conveys stormwater runoff. Much of the watercourse flows through underground culverts, including beneath Miller Parkway, Lincoln Avenue in front of Wendy's, and the railroad tracks. Downstream, the flow reemerges into an open channel before ultimately discharging into the Kinnickinnic (KK) River.

The purpose of the project is to reduce flood risk on the 43rd Street Ditch and reduce roadway flooding at the major intersection of W. Lincoln Avenue and S. 43rd Street. 

Currently, much of the 43rd Street Ditch is enclosed in culverts or lined with concrete. To reduce flooding during heavy rains, this project will improve water flow through culverts at 43rd Street and Lincoln Avenue, remove 550 feet of concrete-lined channel, and create a new area to temporarily store floodwater.

43rd street ditch MMSD project map

The 43rd Street Ditch project will be completed in two phases:

Phase 1: Culvert and Sewer Improvements
The first phase consists of replacing the large underground sewer in Lincoln Avenue just upstream of the channel, shown in orange on the map. This sewer is old and starting to deteriorate.

Phase 2: Channel and Flood Storage Improvements
The second phase involves reconstructing the channel to make it more natural, and at the same time excavating a large storage basin right next to the channel to temporarily hold flood waters during heavy rainstorms.

Together, these two phases will help reduce the risk of flooding nearby and further downstream.

 

After creating the basin, MMSD will plant native vegetation (grasses and flowers) on the sides and bottom of the basin to improve the aesthetics and wildlife habitat at this former industrial property.  Most of the time, the basins will remain dry.  However, during heavy rain, water will flow into the detention basin from the 43rd Street Ditch, where it will be held, thereby reducing the flood flows on the Kinnickinnic River.  When the floodwater levels recede on the Kinnickinnic River, the detention basin will slowly empty into the Kinnickinnic River in Jackson Park. This project is being done in coordination with the Kinnickinnic River & Jackson Park project.

The 43rd Street Ditch project is part of the larger Kinnickinnic River Watershed Flood Management Plan. The goals of this larger plan include:

  • Reduced flood risk to over 700 residential & commercial structures:
  • Improved public safety,
  • Improved riparian and aquatic habitats,
  • Enhanced stream aesthetics, and
  • Robust community collaboration. 

PROJECT BENEFITS

  • A more natural river system that can better handle floodwaters
  • Less concrete, more vegetation
  • Improved wildlife habitats
  • Reduced flood risk to residential & commercial structures
  • Improved public safety

PROJECT TIMELINE*

  • Advertise & Award Construction Contract: Lincoln Avenue Culvert - Fall 2026
  • Project Construction: Lincoln Avenue Culvert - 2026–2027
  • Project Design Including Basin & Channel & Permitting: Spring 2026 – Future
  • Project Construction – Basin and Channel: Future

*Timeline subject to change. Due to schedule complexities, this is a conservative timeline. MMSD will continue to move this project forward as quickly as possible. 

PARTNERS

RESOURCES

GET INVOLVED

  • Participate in upcoming events. MMSD will conduct a number of stakeholder and public outreach activities throughout the project to obtain project input and feedback.
  • Follow MMSD on social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) for updates on MMSD projects.

COMMENT / QUESTION

*
*
*
*