Council Taking up West Bypass Resolution

The bypass has been in the works for 50 years and has meet opposition along the way.

The Waukesha Common Council is being asked to take up a resolution endorsing the West Waukesha Bypass project at its meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The bypass, which has been in the plans for 50 years, is expected to help improve traffic flow and increase safety along Meadowbrook Road. However, opponents to the project fear additional traffic, the high costs to create a four-lane road and environmental impacts. Government transportation officials are reviewing four alternatives for the west side of Waukesha. One option is to do nothing with Highway TT, but the other three options have a 34 percent to 42 percent lower crash rate estimates. The three alternatives to create a bypass would cost between $53 million and $55 million, but reduce …

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Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Waukesha West Bypass Long Overdue

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.

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 …

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Opponents of West Waukesha Bypass Take Issue With Costs, Environmental Impacts

While business leaders say the proposal for a $55 million bypass will be good for economy, area residents fear changes to the area.

Taxes and project costs, property values, environmental impacts and traffic noise, smell and safety are among the chief concerns among those opposing the proposed West Waukesha Bypass. Janet Pace was there about 50 years ago when the neighbors hired an attorney and put a stop to a bypass being placed along Merrill Hills Road/Highway TT. She’s still fighting the proposal, arguing the costs are too high and the neighbors will have to smell the diesel trucks that use the road. “I think this is absolutely ridiculous,” Pace said at a public hearing Tuesday evening at Waukesha North High School that was attended by more than 50 people. Government transportation officials are reviewing four alternatives for the west side of Waukesha. One option …

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West Waukesha Bypass Memorandum of Understanding on Town Agenda

Town Chairwoman says there is no record of the Town of Waukesha Board of Supervisors giving previous chairman authority to sign document.

The Town of Waukesha will discuss a memorandum of understanding that the former chairman signed in 2009 that set the West Waukesha Bypass project in motion during its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Town Hall. The town’s obligation, according to the document, is to “cooperate with Waukesha County and the City of Waukesha to resolve jurisdiction of remaining pieces of County D, TT, and local roads.” Town of Waukesha Chairwoman Angie E. Van Scyoc said the town government was assembling its files and attempting to receive information from its former attorney about its obligations in the West Waukesha Bypass project when it was determined there was no record of the Town Board giving the former chairman that authority. “Quite frankly, a …

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