N. 2nd Street
2022 Engineering Excellence State Finalist
Entering Firm: Alfred Benesch & Company
Client: City of Milwaukee
North 2nd Street is a very important road in Milwaukee’s entertainment district. It is a vital pedestrian access point for the newly remodeled Bradley Symphony Center and other venues. The old design looked and functioned more like a normal city street with major impacts on safety and traffic flow.
Alfred Benesch & Company developed a solution with a very limited budget and under specific time constraints. The redesigned street had to be open in time for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s season. The design team conducted a value planning workshop to hear from stakeholders and users on the most important aspects of the redeveloped road.
Key design components addressed users concerns for an accessible, safe area for pedestrians, limited vehicle traffic and a vibrant atmosphere for users.
Advanced traffic calming measures were implemented to make sure vehicles using the road were acutely aware of pedestrians and moving at slow speeds. An innovative curbless street design made the entire block accessible for pedestrians and facilitated flow during busy times before and after symphony shows. Finally, a trench drainage system channels rainwater away.
The rehabilitated corridor was open in time for the symphony and exceeds client expectations. The new street is a vibrant example of how a city street can serve a myriad of functions.
