drone image of western milwaukee river restoration

Western Milwaukee Phase 2B

Project Update

The construction for the project is moving forward with completion anticipated in early fall. The status of main elements of the project follows:

  • In State Street West -- Wauwatosa:
    • Please be alert! New traffic impacts on State Street between 60th Street and 62nd Street. Traffic will be restricted to one lane. Flaggers will be on site to control and direct traffic flow for east and west traffic. This traffic plan will go into effect on July 20 and last for two weeks.
    • After a pause in construction to redesign a critical structure, work has resumed with the last of the sewer construction to be completed with road restoration to follow. 
  • In State St. East – Milwaukee:
    • Replacement of the 50th St. storm sewer was completed on July 10. Road restoration will be completed by July 24.   Replacement of defective concrete sections in State Street will continue through the end of the month.
  • Menomonee River Floodwall and Levee Construction
    • Expected completion date for the levee and floodwall is Fall 2027

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 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 Reduce Flood Risk
  • Increase Public Safety
  • Improve Riparian (area adjacent to the river) & Aquatic Habitat

Project Timeline:

2017 - 2023 Finalize Design

2023 - Spring 2027 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

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