Road Work Update: Blue Mound Blues Could End Ahead of Schedule

The repaving of Blue Mound Road between 124th Street and Mayfair Road is on pace to be finished on time or a little a head of schedule, according to a Department of Transportation spokesperson.

According to Micaela Morin, a public information coordinator, the project is on track to be complete by December of 2011. The project is entering its next phase with construction work moving from the north side of the road to the south.

"You will see what you saw on the north side of the road with the lanes closed and the traffic switched," she said during an interview.

The roadwork between 124th Street and Mayfair Road is part of a $25 million project that encompasses pavement replacement and resurfacing a 7-mile stretch of U.S. Hwy. 18 including portions of Blue Mound and East Moreland Boulevard.

According to Morin, drivers have been attentive to some of the changes that have taken place in terms of traffic patterns through the construction area during the project.

"We have some (signage) to get customers to some businesses that have different access during construction and people have been responding well to that," Morin said.

From the City of Wauwatosa's perspective, the state has been responsive in handling complaints and answering questions.

"I must say, I'm from out of state so this is my first experience working with WDOT and they have been from very responsive to the residents and businesses by getting signs up and keeping them informed," said Bill Porter, the city's director of public works. "I have been pleasantly pleased so far at the level of communication they have had and the cooperation they have shown us as a city."

The city has gotten more complaints from businesses regarding access than from motorists regarding traffic, Porter said.

"My phone has not been ringing off the hook with people upset. I have certainly have had some calls and we have responded to them as they have come in," he said. "The business or resident may not like the answer, but it's someone getting back to them. It's just not the blank face of government."

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Please see our related story, , on the effect of road construction on local businesses.