August 21, 2026
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Announces Nearly $3 Million in Federal Funding for Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements and Oak Leaf Trail Bridge Replacements
MILWAUKEE – On Friday, August 21, 2026, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced that the County has been awarded nearly $3 million in federal funds to support a safer, more efficient transportation network for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, directly supporting Milwaukee County’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2037.
“This funding will allow us to make strategic, multifaceted investments that improve the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of our transportation system by improving the bicycle and pedestrian networks that connect communities,” said County Executive Crowley. “These investments help make our streets safer, our economy more vibrant, and our community more mobile.”
The funding is the result of the 2026 - 2030 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) award. It will fund three safety improvement projects at nine priority pedestrian and bicycle crossings and the replacement of two parks bridges along the Oak Leaf Trail through a $3 million allocation.
All these improvements support Milwaukee County’s Vision Zero commitment by addressing crash‑prone locations, modernizing aging infrastructure, and prioritizing safer travel for all users. Milwaukee County will work with Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to determine when work on the projects will begin.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Projects
MCDOT will receive approximately $2 million to improve pedestrian and bicycle crossings identified at priority locations in a recent countywide study. The Milwaukee County Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing Assessment studied twenty sites to evaluate the highest-risk locations for people walking and biking and where crash trends showed the greatest safety concerns. Nine locations will receive safety improvements in the cities of Greenfield and Glendale and the villages of Bayside, Fox Point, and Greendale.
Oak Leaf Trail Bridge Replacements
The Milwaukee County Parks Department will receive approximately $1 million toward the replacement of two Oak Leaf Trail bridges near the eastern end of Lincoln Park that span across Highway I-43 and Port Washington Road, north of Hampton Avenue. These bridges, built in 1936, have growing maintenance needs. Full replacement would bring the bridges to a modern standard that provides additional vertical clearance and sustainable materials.
About TAP Funding
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) TAP program allocates federal funds for eligible local transportation projects through longstanding regional guidelines and biennial prioritization processes led jointly by the WisDOT, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), and regional partners.
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