Release date: March 12, 2026
To invest in Wisconsin’s transportation system, Governor Evers has approved a project to rebuild 2.6 miles of W. National Avenue (WIS 59) between S. 39th Street and S. 1st Street in the City of Milwaukee. Construction will take place over three years in three segments to minimize impacts, with the first phase beginning in April 2026.
Residents, business owners, and community members are encouraged to attend an upcoming construction kick-off meeting to learn more about the project.
Meeting Details:
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- 6 – 6:30 p.m., presentation | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., open house Q&A
- Mitchell Park Domes (524 S. Layton Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53215)
The meeting facility is transit accessible and wheelchair accessible. Spanish-speaking interpreters will be available. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid, service or another language interpreter to participate may contact the project team at
NationalAve@milwaukee.gov or (via the Wisconsin Telecommunication Relay System, dial 711 and request to connect with) 262-224-4320 as soon as possible.
Traffic Impacts:
Construction for the first segment (S. 39th Street to S. 27th Street) is scheduled to begin in April 2026 and be completed in December 2026, weather permitting.
During construction, a single one-way lane of traffic will be maintained through the work zone. Westbound traffic will remain open during eastbound construction, and vice versa. Greenfield Avenue will serve as the signed detour route.
Milwaukee County Transit System Route 18 will detour via Greenfield Avenue between Miller Parkway and Layton Boulevard, serving temporary stops along the route. Transit updates are available at RideMCTS.com/Alerts or on the Umo app. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained during construction. On-street parking along National Avenue will be limited for safety, but alternative parking is available on nearby side streets and parking lots.
Planned Improvements:
The project will modernize the corridor and improve safety for all modes of transportation, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. Improvements include:
- Addition of a raised protected bike track
- Maintain Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) service and improve bus stop features
- Pedestrian safety enhancements including curb extensions, raised crosswalks, flashing beacons, and high-visibility crosswalk markings
- Replace and upgrade pedestrian curb ramps to meet ADA standards
- Improved street lighting and updated traffic signals
- Replacement of roadway pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalks, and driveway approaches
- Replacement of storm sewer infrastructure at select locations
For more information, visit the project webpage at:
https://engage.milwaukee.gov/national
For more information, contact:
Trevor Fannon, WisDOT Southeast Region Communications Manager
262-521-5373,
trevor.fannon@dot.wi.gov