Post from Community: SEWRPC and Milwaukee County seeking public input for transit enhancement study along and near 27th Street | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
February 9, 2021
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The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and Milwaukee County are beginning a transit study along and near 27th Street. Both rail and bus services are being evaluated, and could increase frequency, add amenities, and potentially expand the existing Milwaukee County Transit Service (MCTS) PurpleLine service area—one of the most popular transit lines in the County. The public is invited to the first round of virtual public meetings to learn more about the effort, review initial work including preliminary route options, and provide comments. Registration and additional details are available at mkenorthsouth.com.
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About the Study
The North-South Transit Enhancement Study will analyze the feasibility of a transit enhancement along or near 27th Street in Milwaukee County. The study will look at on-street transit enhancement options that would likely utilize 27th Street for the majority of the route, and rail and bus options that would utilize the nearby 30th Street Rail Corridor for the northern portion of the corridor. The study will provide an evaluation of alternatives considering factors such as the population and destinations served, travel times, environmental impacts, cost, and potential ridership and will recommend a locally preferred alternative.
About the Corridor
The 27th Street corridor—defined for the initial portion of the study as the area within one-half mile of the existing PurpleLine bus route—is home to many racially and ethnically diverse communities. Enhanced transit service would improve access for individuals within the corridor, which is made up of 75 percent people of color (38 percent Black, 29 percent of Hispanic ethnicity and 5 percent Asian). In addition, 21 percent of all families in poverty in the County live within one-half mile of the PurpleLine. It is estimated that nearly 23 percent of households in the PurpleLine corridor do not have a car.
More than 118,000 people live within one-half mile of the existing PurpleLine route, which also provides access to 50,000 jobs, 4 major medical facilities, 63 K-12 schools, 31 grocery stores, and a variety of community resource centers. The corridor intersects with many of the County’s other major transit lines, including the planned East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, which is scheduled to begin construction later this year.
Public Involvement
There will be three rounds of public meetings for this study. During round one, which will begin later this month, the public will have an opportunity learn more about existing transit in the corridor, the purpose and goals for the study, project timelines, and have opportunities to respond to questions and provide general feedback. Input collected during this first round of public involvement will be used to further develop route and technology options. Subsequent public involvement opportunities will allow the public to provide feedback on defined alternatives and evaluations.
Join Us
To adhere to public health guidelines, the first round of public involvement for the study will take place remotely with a variety of options available for the public to learn more about the study and provide feedback to the study team. Virtual public meetings will take place on February 23 and 24. A recording and materials will be made available on the project website after the meetings with additional opportunities to provide feedback throughout the length of the study.
Register for the virtual meetings and learn more at mkenorthsouth.com.
Virtual Public Meeting 1: Tuesday, February 23, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Virtual Public Meeting 2: Wednesday, February 24, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Spanish and American Sign Language interpreters will be provided. For assistance registering, or additional accommodations email info@mkenorthsouth.com or call the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission at (262) 547-6721 within three business days of the meeting.
Comments may also be submitted in any of the following ways:
Web: Contact page at mkenorthsouth.com/contact
E-mail: info@mkenorthsouth.com
Mail: P.O. Box 1607, Waukesha, WI 53187-1607
Fax: (262) 547-1103