drone image of western milwaukee river restoration

Western Milwaukee Phase 2B

Project Update

Now in its third year of construction, MMSD’s flood risk reduction project along State Street near Hawley Road is on track for completion in 2026, marking substantial progress to date.  

Additional storm sewer and paving improvements will require partial road closures in State St. between Hawley Rd. and 46th St., much like last year. This work is planned to resume in April. Other planned work is listed below and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.  

Over the winter:  

  • State St. construction in Milwaukee is currently paused due to a winter work moratorium  

  • In Wauwatosa, storm sewer construction continues in State Street between 60th Street and 62nd Street  

  • Floodwall construction continues adjacent to the railroad and along the north side of the river near 50th Place.  

We appreciate the patience of the community and businesses during construction of this major project that will significantly reduce the risk of flooding in the area. 

OVERVIEW OF WORK TO DATE: 

State Street Work Status – Milwaukee & Wauwatosa  

  • Mainline storm sewer pipe in Milwaukee installed – 100% completed! 

  • New storm sewer has triple the capacity of the old one 

  • 41 new stormwater inlets installed to date

    • An additional 35 new inlets will be installed this spring 

  • New 16” water main – 100% completed!  

  • New sanitary sewer – 100% completed!  

  • New roads & sidewalks – 76% complete  

  • New underground communication lines – 100% completed!  

Levee and Floodwall Construction Status 

  • Streambank stabilization – Earthen levee – 79% complete  

  • Reinforced concrete floodwall with work continuing over winter – 4% complete  

Amenities:  

  • 7.5 acres of green space and wildflower plantings (of 8.4 planned) – 89% complete  

  • Another .9 acre of green space and wildflowers to be planted in 2026 

  • Trail improvements added adjacent to the river at Doyne Park – 100% completed!  

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

  • slide

    Widening the river channel below Doyne Park. 

  • slide

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

  • slide

    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 the map above) and a remapping of the floodplain in the surrounding project area following completion of the project and completion of other FEMA-required levee accreditation improvements. FEMA review is expected to take up to three years. 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 - 2026 Construction

*Project timeline is subject to change

Project Status:

MMSD is completing construction.

Partner List:

Levee and Floodwall Rendering

rendering of western milwaukee phase 2b

 

Stay Informed

  • Stay tuned to this website and MMSD social media avenues (Instagram, Facebook, X) for upcoming activities.

Project Resources

Comments / Questions

*
*
*