Committee refers Michigan Avenue pedestrian improvements near Waukesha North High to CIP after staff recommends midblock crossing

City engineering presented traffic counts and speed profiles for Michigan Avenue near Waukesha North High School and Lowell Park at the Buildings & Grounds meeting on July 6 and recommended a midblock crossing aligned with the school entrance plus pavement-marking measures to reduce vehicle speeds.

Staff noted the posted speed is 25 mph (15 mph when children are present) and reported roughly 1,000 vehicles in each direction over a 24-hour period. The presentation showed median and 85th-percentile speeds that suggested vehicles increase speed westbound across the park and school area; staff recommended double yellow centerlines, edge lines, narrowed lane markings, and a marked midblock crossing adjacent to the school's main entrance to create a clearer, safer point for students to cross.

A committee member said the designated crossing would help channel pedestrian movement and reduce risky midblock crossings common during drop-off and pick-up times. Members also discussed whether the bus staging area could be moved east to improve sight lines; staff said they would coordinate with school administration and the resource officer if the project progresses. The committee voted to refer the recommended pedestrian accommodations to the capital-improvement program (CIP) for cost estimation and scheduling rather than require immediate budget amendment.

Staff told the committee the CIP route would determine whether the project is scheduled for 2027, 2028 or later, or handled through a budget amendment; the committee requested follow-up coordination with the school and an implementation plan if CIP funding is approved.