Staff outlines reckless-driving mitigation projects funded by vehicle-registration fee; no formal vote

Transportation Engineering staff presented examples of projects and a programmatic approach to reckless-driving mitigation and street-safety improvements during a Transportation Affairs Committee meeting. The presentation described near-term quick-build measures, longer-term capital projects and grant-seeking strategies.

Mike May and other staff reviewed candidate projects that staff ranked under the new traffic-calming program and described additional targeted interventions funded or supplemented by the vehicle-registration fee. May said staff are working with Milwaukee County and the Federal Highway Administration on data-driven steps, including identifying the city’s high-injury network and pursuing Highway Safety Improvement Program grants that typically offer a 90:10 federal match.

Staff cited specific corridors and intersections being considered for work this year: Grantosa Parkway (90th to 100th streets) — a long, high-priority corridor that borders Milwaukee and likely needs interjurisdictional coordination; Lloyd Street at 70th/Third Street intersections — noted for a high number of angle crashes and visibility issues; Center Street near the schools — sight-line improvements, curb extensions and bicycle-lane completions; Glenview and Portland avenues — crosswalk surface upgrades and replacement of temporary barrels with durable delineators; and North Avenue corridor improvements and walking audits from 60th to 70th to find quick-build safety improvements.

May described engineering responses such as curb extensions, realignment of crosswalks, rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), high-visibility crosswalk surfacing and durable delineators. He said some requests could be solved through other funding sources (sidewalk or reconstruction programs) and that staff will avoid certain ineffective measures such as signing (