Thursday, April 11, 2013
A semi blocked eastbound Drexel Avenue near I-94 and forced the closure of an off-ramp Wednesday.
The week-long rain that has pummeled southeastern Wisconsin was a factor in a semi crash Wednesday morning on Drexel Avenue near I-94. According to an Oak Creek police report, the semi's 25-year-old driver was making a U-turn just after 8:30 a.m. when he jumped the curb and his tires sunk into the muddy, soft ground. The disabled semi blocked eastbound Drexel Avenue and forced the closure of the northbound I-94 off-ramp. Despite the steady rain that has hit southeastern Wisconsin all week, Oak Creek has largely been devoid of major problems. More than 2.8 inches of rain fell from Monday through Wednesday, according to Patch's media partners at WISN, and more rain is in the forecast.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Northwestern Mutual plans to exchange lands in Oak Creek with Milwaukee County. The county parks department wants to maintain some of the last remaining wetlands in the county.
A representative for Northwestern Mutual told the Oak Creek Plan Commission Tuesday night that proposed land swaps with Milwaukee County will help preserve the natural beauty of the area near 20th Street and Drexel Avenue. Kevin Kennedy, director of real estate investments for the company, said Milwaukee County Parks officials approached the company about exchanging lands so it could expand Falk Park and maintain some of the last remaining wetlands in the county. Northwestern Mutual was happy to accommodate the request, he said. In giving up one-and-a-half acres for every acre it acquired, the swaps will preserve park land for "generations to come." "They are very nice lands and that's what we want to preserve," he said. Under the plan, …
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Land at the lakefront, Delphi, Drexel Avenue all part of commission's recommendations.
The Oak Creek Plan Commission has recommended two sets of land exchanges and a purchase of lakefront property for Common Council approval. A rundown of the three measures: Drexel Avenue The city would exchange properties at 8245 S. 20th St., 2211 W. Drexel Ave. and part of 2301 W. Drexel Ave. with Milwaukee County for a 16-acre property at 2200 W. Drexel Ave. The county approached the city about the swap so it could expand Falk Park and preserve those properties as park land and open space. As reported Friday, Northwestern Mutual recently got about 50 acres of land from the county near the planned Drexel Interchange. What will happen with those 16 acres the city gets? It would be transferred to the Oak Creek-Franklin School District, …
Monday, February 13, 2012
Friday's weather wreaked havoc on Oak Creek streets.
Drivers struggled with snow and icy conditions Friday, particularly on 13th Street and its intersection with Drexel Avenue. According to the Oak Creek Police Department logbook, one of the first accidents happened at 3:50 p.m., when a vehicle was southbound on 13th Street. The driver was unable to stop and slid through the intersection, striking a curb and knocking down a traffic signal in the median. More accidents in that area were reported throughout the afternoon and into the night. Several reports of cars in the ditch came in between 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. The Milwaukee County Highway Department was called multiple times to salt the intersection. Another stoplight was knocked down just before 6 p.m. at the southwest corner of Howell …
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Oak Creek will spend extra money on Drexel Avenue reconstruction project.
Oak Creek will spend up to $47,490 for design changes to the W. Drexel Ave. reconstruction project scheduled for next year. The changes will be done in large part to help prevent flooding problems, as a stretch of Drexel near 27th Street goes through wetlands composed of poor soils. City officials said they looked at several different options and concluded that using Geopiers - which improves soil to allow for a roadway to be constructed - would the cheapest. Other options, like a bridge structure at $8 million and a deep excavation at $4.3 million, were non-starters becuase of the high cost, City Engineer Mike Simmons said. Aldermen said the city had an obligation to avoid flooding problems on what will become a more congested street, …
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Improvements will be made from 27th Street to Interstate.
A bike lane and sidewalk are now included in the reconstruction plans for W. Drexel Ave. The move comes on the heels of a new law requiring any road project that receives state or federal funding to include on-street bike facilities and off-street pedestrian accommodations. Drexel Avenue from 27th Street to the Interstate will become a four-lane divided highway next year, which is also when the new Drexel Interchange will be constructed. The city is reconstructing a segment of the road flanked on both ends by DOT-funded construction, which will have the bike and pedestrian facilities. The city initially balked at the improvements because of the cost, but decided to include it to mesh with the DOT's plans. The Common Council on Tuesday …
Patriot
6:45 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Vocal-Absolutely!! Mr Verhalen most def has my vote. The idea they are pushing this thru on the eve of the election is just mind blowing. Responsible Govt? No sounds more like a personal agenda by those currently holding office. If all this spending of money is such a great thing for the city then why the urgency to take a vote behind closed doors before the newly elected are in office? What … more ›