DPW: Slip lane closures in Milwaukee lead to slower speeds, safer driving

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – City leaders are continuing to address reckless driving in Milwaukee with new traffic calming measures.

The hope is that road changes will reduce speeding and enhance pedestrian safety.

"It's important for our neighborhoods, it's important for our residents, it's important for our businesses, it's important for our city," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson on Wednesday.

The mayor held a media conference alongside city engineer Kevin Muhs to address successful traffic calming measures across the city.

So far, several projects, including traffic circles, bump outs, and road diets, have shown significant improvements, especially concerning speeding decreases.

"Engineering, education, and enforcement - they're all a part of the mix," Johnson explained.

One of the newest measures is at 27th St. and Highland Blvd.

The right slip lane is now closed and replaced by a mural for pedestrians to cross.

"The main idea with a slip lane, when they were originally designed, was to allow large vehicles and cars to make this right turn as seamlessly as possible," said Kevin Muhs, the city engineer. "What we know now is yes, cars can do that, but drivers probably take it a little too fast."

Cars quickly taking slip lanes can be a threat to pedestrians, especially at intersections with a bus stop.

"Closing the slip lanes returns it to a traditional intersection format where everyone's where they're expect to be," Muhs explained. "The driver has the right angle to check everything, and it encourages people to take that turn closer." 

So far, Milwaukee's Department of Public Works has already recorded benefits from this project: cars entering the intersection have lowered their speeds by three miles per hour, which is a 14% decrease.

"Specifically, as people approach the intersection and they make this right turn from west to north, they're taking it slower and they're taking it safer," Muhs said.

A similar project is at Lapham Blvd. and Cesar Chavez Dr. on the south side.

The colorful murals were painted by local artists through LUNA, a Latinx art collective.

"It not only beautifies our streets, but makes them a little safer, which is very exciting," said LUNA co-founder, Katie Avila Loughmiller.

More slip lanes are likely to close around the city as traffic calming measures continue.

DPW asks drivers to be prepared for changes.

"The safest thing everybody can do is if they take it slow enough, then everybody will navigate it safely, even if they are a little confused initially as they adapt and learn," Muhs said.

Click here to see current traffic safety projects in Milwaukee.