Milwaukee County zoo officials press Capital Improvements Committee to fund redesigned front entrance to reduce traffic losses during Blue Mound construction

Milwaukee County Zoo officials on Aug. 12 asked the County’s Capital Improvements Committee to advance a front‑entrance redesign intended to speed vehicle and pedestrian flows and capture ticket and parking revenue during a March–November 2028 Wisconsin Department of Transportation project on Blue Mound Road that will limit the roadway to one lane in each direction.

The zoo’s executive director, Amos Morris, told the committee the project is a timing issue and urged action now “either we’re going to pay now or we’re going to end up paying later.” Morris said the design team’s goal is to move vehicles off Blue Mound into the zoo parking area with minimal stopping and to reconfigure ticketing so more guests buy online or at kiosks before entering the grounds. John Teppler, project manager with the Concord Group, described planned changes including new traffic signals, a median to eliminate a hazardous crossover and a consolidated pedestrian entry/gathering space where tickets are validated as guests arrive.

Deputy Zoo Director Vera Westfall told the committee the zoo’s 2025…