'Prioritizing safety over speed': Traffic calming measures reduce speeding and crashes across Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Some positive news in Milwaukee: the city has seen real improvements from traffic calming measures.

That's according to the Department of Public Works.

The impacts of some projects are clear, both from the numbers and the satisfied neighbors.

"Cars would just fly around corners, through stop signs, and at excessive speeds down the street," said Peter Hertel-Meirose.

He has lived in Milwaukee's Walker Square neighborhood for 13 years, and safety is his number one concern.

"Our oldest is 9, and we wouldn't let him cross the street before some of this traffic calming," Hertel-Meirose said.

Recently, he and his neighbors have seen Washington Street change for the better - with curb extensions, bump-outs, and a new traffic circle.

"Now that cars are just taking it a little slower, we feel better about what that means for our neighborhood," he said.

The numbers show it made a difference.

Milwaukee's Department of Public Works said speeding is since down 55%, and crashes are down 32% near Walker Square Park.

"We're going to continue to focus traffic calming efforts near parks and schools to make sure kids and parents arrive safely," said city engineer Kevin Muhs.

"Prioritizing safety over speed, safety over speed, so his kids can come to the park without having the fear," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

On Thursday, the mayor pinpointed that project and others to slow down drivers:

Like Highland Boulevard, which was taken from four to two lanes, with new raised bus stops and protected bike lanes.

"We reduced crashes in that area by 44%," Mayor Johnson said.

Another example is on Burleigh Street, between Roosevelt Drive and Sherman Boulevard, where bump-outs at intersections reduced crashes by 39%.

On Kenwood Boulevard, near the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, a similar project reduced crashes by 13% and injury crashes by 78%.

The Humboldt Boulevard reconstruction project added curb extensions at intersections, resulting in a 49% reduction in crashes.

Outside of Hayes Bilingual School on Windlake Avenue, adding a raised crosswalk reduced speeding from 30% to 2%.

Van Buren Street was redesigned for a protected bikeway, bus stops, curb extensions, bump-outs, and turn lanes, reducing speeding by 85%.

Howard Avenue was reduced from four to two lanes, adding bike lanes and curb extensions. Speeding has gone down by 32%.

On North Avenue, protected bike lanes, bus boarding islands, and curb extensions reduced speeding by 67%.

DPW said they attempt to integrate traffic calming measures into every project they can.

It's an ongoing response to reckless driving that is improving the lives of Milwaukeeans.

"Anytime that cars are not thinking they own the road, that's positive for all of us," Hertel-Meirose said.

Other upcoming projects include transforming National Avenue and continuing work on Roosevelt Drive and Lisbon Avenue.

Muhs said they're also looking at options for part of N. 35th St. on the city's north side, where a deadly crash took place Tuesday night.

Bump-outs and curb extensions were added on the south end of that corridor a couple years ago.