Road Redesign: Big Changes to Silver Spring in Glendale

If you’ve driven Silver Spring Drive through Glendale lately, you’ve probably encountered construction equipment, lane changes and plenty of orange barrels.

But there’s a much bigger story behind all that construction.

The City of Glendale says its major reconstruction of West Silver Spring Drive is expected to be completed before the end of 2026, bringing a long list of changes designed to slow traffic, make crossings safer and make the corridor considerably more comfortable for people walking and biking.

The approximately $12 million project covers Silver Spring Drive from N. 27th Street east to the Milwaukee River and is being completed in partnership with the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin.

The finished street is designed to work differently.

What’s changing on Silver Spring Drive?

The project includes narrower vehicle lanes, new bike lanes, sidewalk improvements and six raised intersections intended to keep vehicle speeds more consistent.

Those raised intersections may be one of the most noticeable changes for drivers.

Instead of a traditional speed bump, the roadway through the intersection is elevated, encouraging drivers to slow down as they approach and travel through the crossing.

The project also includes extended medians at various locations to prevent certain left turns across traffic.

And that’s only part of the redesign.

Other improvements include:

• New one-way bike lanes traveling in the same direction as vehicle traffic

• Sidewalk improvements designed to make the corridor more walkable

• Six raised intersections

• Narrower vehicle lanes designed to discourage excessive speeds

• Extended medians at selected locations

• Coordinated traffic signals intended to improve traffic flow

• Emergency vehicle preemption equipment that can give approaching emergency vehicles priority at traffic lights

• Improved street lighting

• Chicanes that slightly shift the path vehicles travel to discourage speeding

• Curb bump-outs near parking areas

• Enhanced pavement markings for bicycle and pedestrian traffic

• Improved ADA-accessible pedestrian ramps

• Updated bus stop locations

• Removal of some underused bus stops

• A redesigned westbound entrance from Green Bay Avenue that will become a stop-controlled intersection

In other words, this is much more than resurfacing Silver Spring Drive.

It is a significant redesign of how the street functions.

What exactly is a chicane?

One of the less familiar features coming to Silver Spring Drive is something called a “chicane.”

A chicane uses curbs or other street features to create a slight zigzag in what would otherwise be a long, straight travel lane.

Drivers still travel normally through the roadway, but the subtle change in direction naturally encourages lower speeds.

It is one of several traffic-calming techniques included in the Silver Spring project.

A bigger emphasis on biking and walking

This may be the most interesting part of the project from a North Shore Family Adventures perspective.

Both directions of Silver Spring Drive will include bike lanes, while sidewalk modifications, ADA ramp improvements and enhanced pavement markings are intended to make pedestrian and bicycle crossings more visible.

That’s particularly notable because this section of Silver Spring connects with one of the Milwaukee area’s most important recreational corridors: the Oak Leaf Trail near the Milwaukee River.

For families who already bike around Glendale and the North Shore, the improvements could eventually make Silver Spring a more useful east-west connection rather than simply a busy roadway to cross.

If you're looking for nearby biking adventures, check out our guide to the Oak Leaf Trail and other outdoor adventures around Milwaukee and the North Shore.

Nearby Kletzsch Park is another natural destination to pair with a bike ride in this area, with access to the Milwaukee River, trails, open space and family recreation.

What are raised intersections?

Raised intersections are another major feature of the project.

Rather than simply installing a speed hump in the middle of a block, the entire intersection is raised slightly above the surrounding roadway.

The goal is to encourage motorists to enter the intersection more slowly while also making pedestrian crossings more prominent.

Six raised intersections are planned along the project corridor.

They will also include enhanced pavement markings intended to improve visibility for people walking and biking.

Bus stops are changing, too

The reconstruction isn't limited to cars, bicycles and sidewalks.

Bus stop locations along the corridor are also being adjusted.

Some underutilized stops will be removed, while others will be repositioned as part of the larger roadway redesign.

Families and commuters who regularly use bus service along Silver Spring should watch for updated stop locations as construction wraps up.

Green Bay Avenue will look different

Drivers entering westbound Silver Spring Drive from Green Bay Avenue will also encounter a change.

The entrance ramp is being redesigned into a stop-controlled intersection.

That should be one of the more noticeable traffic-pattern changes once the project is finished, particularly for North Shore residents who frequently use Green Bay Avenue.

How much does the Silver Spring Drive project cost?

The total project cost is approximately $12 million.

According to the City of Glendale, $8 million comes from two federal funding sources.

That includes $4 million in federal grant funding secured through U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore's office and another $4 million through the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program.

The remaining project costs are being divided between Glendale and Milwaukee based on ownership of the roadway.

Glendale is responsible for approximately 70% of the local share, while Milwaukee is responsible for 30%.

The finished product could have a noticeable impact on how people move around Glendale.

A street with lower vehicle speeds, clearer pedestrian crossings, improved sidewalks and dedicated bicycle space makes it easier to imagine:

• A family connecting a neighborhood bike ride to the Oak Leaf Trail

• Parents pushing a stroller across Silver Spring

• Older kids biking independently around the community

• Families walking between neighborhoods and nearby destinations

• Safer crossings for people traveling to parks, businesses and transit stops

The larger idea is that Silver Spring Drive is being redesigned to accommodate more than vehicles.

Cars will still be a major part of the corridor, of course, but the rebuilt street is intended to better balance drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, public transit and emergency vehicles.

When will Silver Spring Drive construction be finished?

The City of Glendale announced on Sept. 21 that the Silver Spring Drive project is expected to be completed before the end of 2026.

That means North Shore residents should finally be approaching the finish line after months of construction.

Work may still continue at various locations along the corridor this fall, so drivers should continue to watch for temporary traffic changes and active construction areas.

But the end result should look considerably different from the Silver Spring Drive families knew before construction began.

The bottom line

The Silver Spring Drive project is one of the more significant roadway changes happening in the North Shore area.

When completed, the redesigned corridor from N. 27th Street to the Milwaukee River will include bike lanes, raised intersections, improved sidewalks, traffic-calming features, better lighting, upgraded pedestrian crossings and redesigned traffic patterns.

And while construction can certainly be frustrating in the short term, this project is intended to create a safer and more usable Silver Spring Drive for everyone who drives, bikes, walks or takes transit through the area.

We’ll continue watching the project as construction moves toward completion.

Learn more: Visit the City of Glendale for the latest Silver Spring Drive construction information and project updates.

Explore More Around Glendale

Looking for something fun to do nearby? Explore more North Shore Family Adventures guides to parks, trails, restaurants, family activities and things to do throughout Glendale and the Milwaukee North Shore.