drone image of western milwaukee river restoration

Western Milwaukee Phase 2B

Project Update

Storm Sewer Construction in Milwaukee on State Street between Hwy 175 and Hawley Road

Work for the project continues with the construction zone moving west of Hwy 175 beginning in late July. New traffic patterns and an updated eastbound detour will be in effect. All businesses will remain open during construction. Follow road signs for how to access State Street businesses.

The impacts on travel will include:

  • An eastbound partial road closure in State Street between N. Alois Street and N. Hawley Road
  • Eastbound State Street traffic will be directed to the detour route shown above.
  • Follow signage for how to access businesses in the construction zone.
  • Westbound State Street lanes will remain open to traffic.
  • Plan for increased traffic on N. Hawley Road, W. Vliet Street, and N. Alois Street due to the eastbound detour.

Please use caution driving through this area.

Storm Sewer Construction in Wauwatosa on State Street between 60th and 62nd Street

This work in increase the size of storm sewer size from 18” to 48”, build new catch basins to capture stormwater runoff before entering the sewer system, build two 54” sewers under the railroad to carry stormwater from State Street to the river. The work is expected to continue into fall.

The impacts on travel for this construction include:

  • Work will take place on the south side of the street.
  • All traffic will be directed to the north side of State Street between 60th and 62nd Street.
  • There will be two-way traffic on the north side of the street.
  • The sidewalk on the south side of the street will be closed.
  • The MCTS bus stop #6708 will remain open during construction.

Please use caution turning on and off State Street between 60th and 62nd Street.

Sign Up for Western Milwaukee Phase 2b Updates

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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