Politics & Government

Aldermen Voice Support For Lake Parkway Extension

Officials debate proposed interchanges at Rawson Avenue and Puetz Road.

Oak Creek Common Council members say they largely support an extension of the Lake Parkway through the city, though issues with interchanges would have to be worked out.

Under the plans,. Final approval and construction are still quite a ways off, but aldermen said it would be good for the city, particularly residents who regularly commute downtown.

"A project like this, it just benefits the people of Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, Cudahy and St. Francis," Alderman Dan Jakubczyk said during Tuesday night's council meeting.

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Two early concerns revolve around interchanges and local cost share.

Oak Creek officials feel the city should not be required to contribute financially, since local cost share wasn't a part of the original construction of the Lake Parkway, according to a report to council members.

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Aldermen also questioned the proposed interchanges at Puetz Road and Rawson Avenue. Eliminating them would save about $43 million on a project estimated to cost $207.2 million, but building them would improve access for residents and emergency vehicles.

Those issues will be addressed down the road if the plan is successfully added to the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission's long-range plan, County Supervisor Pat Jursik said.

Next week, a committee chaired by Jursik will finalize its recommendations to the state Department of Transportation for its review.

Mayor Al Foeckler is a member of the committee, replacing the late Dick Bolender, and said he supports the concept as Bolender did.

"It's a good thing for the community," Foeckler said. "I do share the concerns on Rawson and Puetz, as far as the overpasses. Part of it is a bit of selfishness to drive traffic to Drexel ... but a lot of people who live in this area and who work downtown would certainly appreciate on- and off-ramps near their houses."


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