MILWAUKEE, WI — The reconstruction and expansion of a two-mile stretch of a suburban roadway in the Greater Milwaukee Area earned the 2023 Transportation Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Wisconsin Chapter.

As general contractor, Michels Road & Stone, Inc. was among the project partners recognized for contributions to the Calhoun Road from Highway M (North Avenue) to Highway 190 (Capitol Drive) Project in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Expansion of other sections of the north-south arterial Calhoun Road had resulted in a dangerous, inefficient bottleneck at the North Avenue to Capitol Drive segment. Design plans prepared by raSmith called for the expansion of the two-lane, undivided roadway to a four-lane, divided roadway with a raised median and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Construction included roadbed improvements, utility relocations, a new concrete box culvert at an existing waterway crossing, and rebuilt railroad crossings. Although most traffic was detoured during construction, Michels maintained access to residences and business along Calhoun Road.

All work was performed according to strict environmental standards and plants to mitigate disruptions to floodplains, wetlands, and residential properties. Any impact on floodplains and wetlands was mitigated by replanting with a pollinator seed mix after construction was finished.

The expanded road accommodates safe travels and turns for more than 16,000 vehicles per day as well as additional traffic in the future. Emergency responder access, roadway drainage, and long-term roadway operations were also improved.