Frequently Asked Questions

The 2024 project is the second of three phases of Shorewood’s Southeast Area Combined Sewer Improvements (SEACSI). The SEACSI program will increase the level of protection against basement backups from elevated flows during wet weather events. The project is designed to convey a 1-hour duration rainfall event with a rainfall intensity of 2 inches per hour. For more information on the project’s planning and history, please visit the SE Area Combined Sewer Improvements page on the Village’s website.

The project area includes the 3500 to 3900 blocks of N. Downer Avenue and a portion of the 2600 block of E. Newton Avenue. Please click here for an illustration of the project area.

The project includes the installation of 1,400 lineal feet of 48” relief sewer and the upsizing of 1,300 lineal feet of existing combined sewer. In addition, 2,500 lineal feet of 16” water main will be replaced. Municipal lead water services will also be replaced. Streetlight wiring in the area will be replaced. All roadways within the project limits will be reconstructed and, in some cases, new signage will be installed. 

If your property is served by water main in the project area which is scheduled for replacement, the municipal portion of that water service will be automatically replaced. Private lead service lines are planned to be replaced as a separate effort in late 2024 into early 2025. Impacted properties have been directly notified by the Village. If you would like to verify your water service line material, please visit the Lead Service Dashboard.

Yes. The reconstructed roadway will include dedicated marked bicycle lanes from E. Edgewood Avenue to E. Capitol Drive. To provide space for these lanes, parking will be removed from the west side of the roadway. Curb extensions (bump-outs) will be constructed on the SE side of the Shorewood Boulevard intersection and the NE side of the Menlo Boulevard intersections. These areas will also feature green infrastructure enhancements in the form of small biofiltration areas designed to capture stormwater. 

Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-February and continue through December 2024. If turf restoration cannot be completed in 2024 due to weather, it will be completed in spring 2025. All pavement installation is expected to be complete in 2024.

Unfortunately, construction work of this magnitude is often in conflict with existing trees. The Village makes every effort to preserve and protect tree canopy to the fullest practical extent; however, some situations require tree removal to facilitate safe and efficient construction work.

Identified trees will be removed in the early stages of the construction project to keep the area open for construction activity. Later in the project, a contractor will plant new trees that have been carefully selected by Shorewood’s Forestry Department. 

Residents will be notified 48 hours in advance of any planned water shut-off during utility installation. These will be temporary and water service should be reestablished the same day. There may, however, be unforeseen and unplanned emergency shut-offs during the course of this complex utility work. It is always our goal to restore service as quickly as possible. 

As a part of construction, the underground streetlight wiring system will be replaced, and several streetlight poles will be removed and reinstalled. The contractor is required to provide temporary lighting during replacement; however, lighting levels may be lower than normal and there may be times when no lighting is present for several days.

Mail service, garbage, recycling, and yard waste pickup will be maintained throughout this project. 

During the project, Downer Avenue will be closed to traffic at E. Capitol Drive and E. Edgewood Avenue; however, residents will be able to access the area from side streets. During the periods when underground work is occurring directly in front of driveways, access to private property will be temporarily interrupted. Impacted residents will be notified of these instances. In the final stages of the project, the asphalt installation will require full road closure for a short period of time; residents will be notified in advance of this closure. The contractor will keep sidewalk open on at least one side of the street at all times. 

When driveway aprons are removed, gravel will be added to provide access. A 24-to-48-hour notice will be provided to homeowners when their driveway is inaccessible due to installing the new driveway or installing curb and gutter. There will be no access to driveways for a period of 10-14 days while the concrete cures. On-street parking permits will be provided during this time. The contractor will notify residents when driveways are not accessible due to utility installation. 

During the curb and driveway apron installation, vehicles will not have access to garages. Alternate charging arrangements must be made during this 10–14-day period, currently anticipated to occur in late summer. Updated schedule information will be provided on the project website or via email by sign-up at www.villageofshorewood/notifyme 

The Milwaukee County Transit System has indicated that the Downer route will not operate during the project’s road closure. Transit users will be directed to use the Oakland Avenue route. Please visit www.ridemcts.com for more information.