2026 N. Oakland Avenue Reconstruction

Improvements to N. Oakland Avenue (from E. Capitol Drive to the north Village limits) have been proposed for 2025. Engineering and design work is underway.  The project is scheduled to be publicly bid in early 2025; construction is anticipated to begin in early spring 2025.  

After review by the Public Works Committee, the Village Board approved a final design (view here). The project will not include a traffic signal at the intersection of Kensington and Oakland. 

Approved Design Concepts

• Pedestrian and traffic safety enhancements
  • bumpouts at all intersection locations where they are feasible (no bus, width or large truck turning radius conflicts).
  • Rapid flashing beacons at key intersections
  • Removal of Metro Market southbound turn lane
  • Modification of existing signals to provide emergency vehicle preemption
• Green infrastructure enhancements
  • Stormwater tree pits in areas compatible with existing storm sever infrastructure

Project History

The project was previously identified in the Village's Long Range Financial Plan implementation schedules for 2029 construction. In planning for the 2021 budget, the Village Board advanced the project - identified as pavement replacement - to 2022 in recognition of rapidly deteriorating pavement conditions. Following a competitive selection process, an engineering and design contract was awarded to Clark Dietz, Inc. in December 2020. The design engineer was tasked with evaluations of pedestrian safety improvements and green infrastructure enhancements. The complete project scope can be viewed in the September 20, 2020 Request for Proposals.

In 2021, the Board directed its consulting engineer to review recommendations from the 2020 Transportation and Parking Analysis, the 2015 Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and the 2013 Guidebook for Green Infrastructure and explore options for incorporating recommended enhancements into the N. Oakland Avenue project. 

Recognizing the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the local businesses and the potential impact of construction on a recovering Shorewood business district, the Village Board voted in early 2021 to defer the project to 2025. 

Project Scope

In addition to the reconstruction of the driving and parking lanes, the project will replace aging watermain and services the length of the corridor. As noted above, the project will also include pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety improvements as well as green infrastructure enhancements. Ash trees will be evaluated and replaced in accordance with the Village's Ash Tree Replacement Program. 

Meeting History