Road projects big part of Waukesha's proposed capital budget

Todd Ponath
Traffic moves along Highway TT in Waukesha, an area that is part of the West Waukesha Bypass, which will be a four-lane thoroughfare that will run from Interstate 94 south to Highway 59, replacing the two-lane Meadowbrook and Merrill Hills roads. The city and county are designating funds to have the multi-year project begin in 2016.
Published on: 10/26/2015

The city of Waukesha is proposing a $139 million plan for major capital projects over the next five years, including $26 million for projects in 2016 alone.

The largest expense category over the five-year period and next year is for department of public works expenditures. Spending on roads, including potentially the West Waukesha Bypass, are some highlights in this category for the next few years and in 2016.

While changes can still be made, here's a breakdown of proposed key expenditures, which are expected to be adopted in November:

Street reconstruction

The city is proposing spending $10.5 million and $8 million over the next five years on major and minor street reconstruction projects, respectively.

In 2016, the city is proposing $1.6 million on major projects and $1.3 million on minor projects.

Major street reconstruction next year is planned for West Main Street from Clinton to Barstow streets, while the streets planned for the minor street reconstruction program are Tenny Avenue from East College to East Newhall avenues, and North Greenfield Avenue from East Main Street to Arcadian Avenue.

The major reconstruction program was first funded in 1996 for reconstruction of older streets that are considered major traffic carriers in the city, while the minor street program are roadways not considered major traffic carriers. Streets in both programs have worn-out pavement and curb and gutter and are in a condition that is beyond the help of regular maintenance.

West bypass

Another capital project plan for 2016 is $3.15 million for the West Waukesha Bypass reconstruction, a four-lane thoroughfare that would run from Interstate 94 south to Highway 59, replacing the two-lane Meadowbrook and Merrill Hills roads on the west side of Waukesha.

For the multi-year project, the city is responsible for funding, designing and constructing the bypass from the northern limit of the Northview Road intersection to north of Rolling Ridge Drive. This section will be widened from a two-lane undivided roadway to a divided four-lane design.

The city will also have to fund related sanitary and flood mitigation ($1.5 million). The county will construct the segment from Northview Road to Summit Avenue. The state's Department of Transportation will construct the segment from Summit Avenue to Highway 59.

Waukesha County Public Works Director Allison Bussler said the county is designating $1.9 million for 2016 and has spent $5.5 million over the years on various aspects of the project.

Whether the bypass work begins next year is still contingent on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issuing a permit, which needs to be issued by Jan. 1, 2016, Bussler said.

"Everybody here is ready to go, but it's just contingent on the federal permit," Bussler said. "We're doing everything we can to meet the conditions of the permit."

The project is funded through city, county, state and federal funds. The city's portion will be funded through a 15-year general obligation debt.

More road projects

Another high-cost proposed project ($3.4 million) in 2016 is for the second phase of improvements for Summit Avenue and Delafield Street. The project includes the reconstruction of Summit from 300 feet east of Moreland Boulevard to Spring Street and the reconstruction of Delafield from Spring to East North streets. The project also includes the rehabilitation of Madison Street from East North Street to the Fox River.

The city is proposing to spend $1.8 million for East Sunset Drive utility and street improvements. This project includes the reconstruction of East Sunset Drive from 230 feet west of Sunset View to Les Paul Parkway to continue the roadway improvements being completed by, and adjacent to, the Meijer store development near East Sunset Drive and Tenny Avenue.

With the traffic expected to exceed the capacity of two lanes, the section of East Sunset Drive needs to be widened to a four-lane divided roadway, the city budget states.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will also provide money for some of the improvements.

City Hall roof

Also part of the DPW's proposed five-year Community Investment Program budget is a roof replacement for city hall. While the roof has had several repairs completed over the past several years to address ongoing leak issues, a new roof is needed, city officials have said.

"The roof is well past its useful life," the city's proposed CIP budget says. "A thermal scan was conducted in 2015 which shows the insulation has an average of 50 percent moisture on the roof. The most economic approach is to remove the roof on the lower level, and let the insulation dry, and then replace what is needed."

If the roof is repaired in 2016, the life of the roof could be extended by 40 to 50 years. A complete replacement would cost $375,000 to $420,000. The city could include $265,000 for a roof replacement in 2017.