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drone image of western milwaukee river restoration

Western Milwaukee Phase 2B

Project Update

Construction Update --The next stage of work in State Street will begin April 1.

Beginning April 1, State Street storm sewer construction to meet FEMA levee standards will require an eastbound traffic detour. Westbound traffic will remain open throughout construction but will be narrowed to one lane. The eastbound detour and westbound lane narrowing will take place in two stages. The first phase of the detour will be from Highway 175 to 45th Street. The second phase of the detour will be from Hawley Road to Highway 175. The traffic detour is expected to remain in place until November. See the links to maps below for each detour phase.

STAGE 2A - WORK EAST OF ALOIS

STAGE 2B - WORK WEST OF ALOIS

Access to all businesses in the construction area remains open. Businesses along State Street can still be accessed by traveling westbound on State Street. For eastbound traffic, construction zone signs will indicate whether access to the business is open by continuing eastbound or by following the detour.

While construction in State Street was on hold from November through March due to the City of Milwaukee’s winter work moratorium, construction between the railroad tracks and the river has continued with riverbank reconstruction, sewer construction, and preparations for floodwall construction next to the railroad. For a construction progress overview of this important work, watch this drone video from February 7, 2025.

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This project will extend the earthen levee system 1,800 feet eastward to reduce flooding along State Street, build a new 1,200-foot-long floodwall, install four new storm sewers, and restore 1,500 feet of banks along the Menomonee River.

Project Overview

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is partnering with the City of Milwaukee and City of Wauwatosa to make flood risk reduction improvements along the Menomonee River in Western Milwaukee along West State Street between North 60 Street and USH 175.

This project is part of the larger Menomonee River Watercourse Management Plan which aims to reduce the risk of flooding for over 300 homes and businesses. To see the existing floodplain map visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center.

The Western Milwaukee Phase 2B Project will:

  • Extend the earthen levee (a compacted soil embankment that holds back floodwaters during heavy rains) 1,900 feet, with a sloped soil embankment up to 8 feet high, to reduce flood risk from the Menomonee River flooding onto State Street during heavy rains from approximately 60th Street and West State Street east to US Highway 175. See bottom of page for example image.
  • Build a 1,200 foot long floodwall (a wall made of concrete that holds back floodwaters during heavy rains) training in a height of 5 to 10 feet on the landward side and up to 20 feet on the river side.
  • Install four new storm sewers totaling 5,100 feet.
  • 1,500 feet of excavation and bank restoration between the north and south banks of the river.
  • Turf and native plantings.

Project Area Photos

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    Widening the river channel below Doyne Park. 

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    MMSD Consultant working on removing material from the river along the south bank.

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    Loading trucks with top 6 feet of material at south bank.

Project Map

To recognize the levee system's flood risk reduction benefits there will be a levee system accreditation application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the entire Menomonee River levee system (shown in map below) and a remapping of the floodplain in the surrounding project area following completion of the project. The FEMA review is expected to take up to three years after construction completion. There are some structures that will remain in the mapped floodplain after the levee system is completed. These structures remaining in the floodplain will be evaluated for other flood risk reduction approaches such as voluntary floodproofing and voluntary acquisition. 

Project Benefits:

  • Help To Reduce Flood Risk
  • Increased Public Safety
  • Improved Riparian (area adjacent to the river) & Aquatic Habitat

Project Timeline:

2017 - 2023 Finalize Design

2023 - 2025 Construction

2026 - 2028 FEMA Review

2029 Anticipated Update of the Floodplain Map

*Project timeline is subject to change

Project Status:

MMSD is completing the final design.

Partner List:

Levee and Floodwall Rendering

rendering of western milwaukee phase 2b

 

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Project Resources

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