December 15, 2012

Q&A on the West Waukesha Bypass with Gary Evans, county engineering services manager.

Q: There is a lot of concern about environmental impact of this project, with some people saying the wetlands will all but be destroyed. What types of impact are to be expected to environmentally sensitive areas? Are there any concerns about protected species within the project area?

A: The proposed roadway would be located in such a way to avoid as much wetland as possible.

The plan is to narrow the median of the roadway through this area to reduce its “footprint.” A lot of effort has been put into mapping the wetlands along Pebble Creek and into understanding how ground water helps maintain them. This will help minimize the environmental impact of the project. The Pebble Creek corridor near Sunset Drive down to Highway 59 is a high-quality wetland. If the project is built, however, some wetland would be filled no matter which alternative is selected.

Every effort will be made to avoid wetland impacts, and nothing will be built without state and federal environmental agency approvals.

There are several protected species in the Pebble Creek corridor. A few of these species are in the process of being removed from the protected species list by the DNR. The Build Alternatives under consideration would impact these species differently. All of them would include steps to mitigate impacts to protected species.


Q: Why does the county need a four-lane road there? Is there a cheaper alternative? Why not do what some are advocating, an “improve-no build” option?

A: Safety is our No. 1 priority. A number of two-lane and four-lane alternatives have been studied. A four-lane road is safer and handles traffic better than a two-lane road. An independent ‘road safety audit’ for the project that looked at the No-Build Alternative, improved two-lane road, and a four-lane road verified that a four-lane road would have the greatest effect on reducing crashes.

This conclusion is consistent with a national study that found four-lane roads with a median reduce crashes by 40 to 60 percent compared to two-lane roads. The four-lane roadway would also provide the best long-term results for traffic flow. So while the improved two-lane alternative would provide some benefit in the short term, it would not address the long-term needs of the area. It may be cheaper in the short term, but would end up being more costly and more disruptive in the future.


Q: What about the safety of children getting to and from Meadowbrook School? Are there still plans for a pedestrian bridge over the bypass?

Why not do a tunnel under the road, like at Heyer Park?

A: Pedestrian and bicyclist safety is a big issue all along the proposed route, and certainly at Meadowbrook School. A sidewalk would be built on the west side of the road from Rolling Ridge Drive to the Kame Terrace subdivision.

A bike path would be built along the east side of the road from Rolling Ridge down to Sunset Drive, providing a safe connection between the Lake Country Trail and the Glacial Drumlin State Trail. And a new bridge carrying the road over the Glacial Drumlin would make it safer for those who use the Glacial Drumlin Trail.

At Meadowbrook School, the traffic light would remain in place, as well as a median and marked crosswalks. Waukesha County, City of Waukesha, Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the School District will work together to determine what additional pedestrian safety measures are needed. Everyone wants to make sure the crossing at the school is safe. A pedestrian tunnel probably will not be part of the solution. Tunnels tend to be dark and people often feel unsafe when they walk through them.


Q: What is the next step of the process? Where does it go from here?

A: Waukesha County, the Federal Highway Administration and Wisconsin Department of Transportation will review public and local government input received throughout the study, including the recently-concluded comment period on the draft EIS. The next big milestone is the final environmental impact statement (as opposed to the draft EIS that was approved in October). At the final EIS meeting, Waukesha County will announce the preferred alternative. We anticipate the final EIS will be approved in spring or early summer 2013.


Q: How can I keep up to date on the process of this project? Is there a website for people to go to? How can I get any updates from the county on the plan?

A: Waukeshabypass.org is a great way to keep up to date on the project. We will continue to send out newsletters and host public meetings.