Letter to the Editor: Waukesha West Bypass Long Overdue

To the Editor:

The Waukesha County Business Alliance has been a long standing advocate for the completion of the Waukesha West Bypass. Travelers currently face extended delays when trying to navigate north and south throughout Waukesha. In addition, there are numerous safety concerns due to capacity issues and current roadway design. The completion of the Waukesha West Bypass presents a great opportunity to increase the efficiency, capacity and safety of traffic flow for businesses, property owners and tenants on the south and west end of Waukesha.

By 2035 SEWRPAC estimates that traffic counts on this stretch will range from 13,000 Vehicles Per Day (VPD) by Sunset Drive and 20,000 VPD closer to I-94. The current two lane structure on this stretch has reached its capacity as WISDOT generally considers improving to a four lane system when traffic counts exceed 13,000 VPD.  As a resident of Waukesha, living along this corridor, I understand firsthand the necessity of this project to relieve traffic, increase safety and improve our community.

Waukesha County has worked very closely with numerous state and federal agencies including WISDOT, EPA, and the FHWA to ensure that all of the alternatives considered will be completed in a safe and environmentally friendly fashion. The Waukesha County Business Alliance continues to support a true bypass, identified as the Pebble Creek Far West Alternative, connecting at the intersection of Highway 59 and St. Paul Avenue and a four-lane expansion of Highway TT from Highway 59 to I-94.

The south side of Waukesha remains a robust and growing marketplace with The Shoppes at Fox River continuing to attract national retailers such as TJ Maxx and Target, and manufacturing companies such as Weldall Manufacturing and SPX Transformer Solutions completing large additions to their facilities. The businesses in this area continue to expand and increased access to the I-94 corridor will be another amenity that a business can consider when considering locating or expanding in Waukesha. The completion of this Bypass is long overdue and we support the construction of the Pebble Creek Far West Alternative.

Jeff Hoffman
Chairman, Infrastructure Committee
Waukesha County Business Alliance