13th Street Reconstruction Four Years Away

The good news is that a reconstruction of 13th Street in Oak Creek is now in Milwaukee County's plans.

But the timetable isn't likely to make Oak Creek residents, who have long pressed for the street to be fixed, very happy.

Officials said at an economic development forum Thursday that reconstruction on 13th Street between Drexel and Rawson avenues is scheduled for 2016. Another stretch of 13th, between Puetz and Drexel, is set for 2017.

County Supervisor Steve Taylor said the project has been added to the county's five-year capital improvement plan but needs planning and engineering, which is scheduled in 2014 and 2015.

The project will cost a total of about $9 million, Taylor said.

"It's a big chunk of the capital improvements budget, but it needs to be done," Taylor said.

While the four-year wait isn't likely to please people, Taylor said the project is at least now "on the map" — something that wasn't the case when this year began or when Taylor took office in April.

In addition to residents, city officials have long sought repairs on the street, which falls under the county's jurisdiction. In March, the Oak Creek Common Council passed a resolution urging Milwaukee County to reconstruct or rehabilitate the road from Rawson Avenue to the county line.

Taylor said he is hopeful reconstruction will continue south of Puetz Road after that project is completed in 2017.

13th Street between College and Rawson avenues was fixed in 2011.