Tracking Complete Streets Progress in Milwaukee

The city of Milwaukee's commitment to Complete Streets is still in early stages, as a new progress report details with an eye toward the future.

1 minute read

September 10, 2020, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Historic Third Ward

Brett Welcher / Shutterstock

The Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) has unveiled a benchmark report, the first of its kind in the city, on progress toward goals for Complete Streets set in October 2019, reports Jeramey Jannene.

The city of Milwaukee adopted its Complete Streets policy with the goal to increase road safety for all users, by planning each project with the safety of not just motorists, but also "pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users, regardless of age or ability, in every street project," explains Jannene. 

The report tracks the city's progress toward making those planning considerations in 2019.

The report looks at all street reconstruction, repaving or striping projects greater than a quarter-mile in length where a “substantial design change” occurred. DPW notes that 22 projects were completed in 2019. Primarily due to the timing of the policy’s October 2018 adoption and long lead time on many DPW projects, only two projects incorporated Complete Streets improvements. One of the projects was located in an [Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas].

Next year's report will have plenty to talk about, notes Jannene: "A number of projects have already been implemented in 2020 that aren’t included in the report, including narrowing or removing travel lanes, shortening pedestrian crossing distances and implementing an Active Street program."

Tuesday, September 1, 2020 in Urban Milwaukee

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

2 hours ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

4 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

6 hours ago - The Washington Post