County Expands North Avenue Widening Plans

North Avenue in Brookfield would be widened to four lanes from North 124th Street west to Calhoun Road, under a proposed capital improvement plan being introduced by Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas.

The county announced in 2009 its plans to widen North Avenue, also known as County Highway M, from 124th to Pilgrim Road, but the latest 2012-'16 plan extends that widening west to Calhoun Road, according to information released Wednesday by Vrakas.

He will present the capital improvement plan to the County Board Thursday as part of the 2012 budget to be adopted in November.

Acting Public Works Director Allison Bussler could not be reached for comment on project timing and costs. Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto said he needed to get more information about the project before offering his reaction.

Vrakas said traffic counts taken this year showing more than 14,100 vehicles traveling North Avenue per day demonstrate the road needs to be widened to four lanes from the existing two lanes. Widening is recommended after traffic volumes reach 13,000 vehicles a day, he said.

“This project has been much anticipated by residents using this roadway and I am certain they share in my excitement for the completion of this project,” Vrakas said.

The county also plans to replace the North Avenue bridge over Underwood Creek, and improve the intersection of North Avenue and Brookfield Road.