Oakland Ave Construction Update: End Date, Detours and Improvements

There’s some good news for anyone who lives, shops, eats or regularly drives along Oakland Avenue: Shorewood’s massive Oakland Avenue reconstruction project is moving into its final months.

The Village of Shorewood is rebuilding N. Oakland Avenue between E. Capitol Drive and E. Glendale Avenue, a major project that began in February 2026 and includes much more than simply putting down new pavement.

Latest Update: November 7, 2026

All streets east of Oakland Avenue have reopened, according to the construction forecast for the week of Nov. 9. Oakland now has its permanent centerline pavement markings, and crews have moved on to landscape restoration and punch-list work, the final round of fixes and touch-ups.

The Village has also set a date to celebrate: a ribbon cutting for the rebuilt street is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5.

Here’s where the project stands, what’s happening next and what families visiting Shorewood should know.

Oakland Avenue Ribbon Cutting: Dec. 5

The Village of Shorewood and the Shorewood Business Improvement District are inviting the community to celebrate the completed reconstruction of N. Oakland Avenue between E. Capitol Drive and E. Glendale Avenue.

• When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 5:45 to 6:15 p.m.
• Where: Wood Square, north of Metro Market at N. Oakland Avenue and E. Wood Place

The ceremony is short, so it’s easy to pair with dinner or a treat at an Oakland Avenue restaurant or coffee shop.

When Will Construction Be Finished?

The project began Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, and is expected to continue through the end of the year.

Earlier planning documents projected substantial completion by Nov. 1 and final completion by Dec. 1. However, the Village’s construction contract establishes later deadlines: substantial completion by Nov. 25, 2026, with all work and final restoration completed by Dec. 31, 2026.

So while drivers should see major improvements this fall, some finishing work could continue through December.

Related: Silver Spring construction in Glendale is also scheduled to wrap up by the end of the year.

For the most current information, bookmark the official Oakland Avenue Reconstruction website. The site includes weekly construction forecasts, traffic impacts, closures and a map showing available parking.

You can also follow updates through the Village of Shorewood website.

What to Expect Next

For the week of Nov. 9–13, landscape restoration continues along the corridor, including paver blocks, backfill and topsoil, tree planting and sod.

• Parking: Parking lanes on both sides of Oakland Avenue remain closed for this work.
• Traffic and sidewalks: Expect traffic pattern shifts and temporary sidewalk closures for punch-list work. Two-way traffic and access to businesses will be maintained.
• Side streets: Short-term lane closures are expected for landscaping and punch-list work.
• Weekend work: Landscape crews planned to work Saturday, Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Looking ahead, landscape restoration, pavement markings and punch-list items are scheduled to continue. All work is weather dependent and subject to change, so check the current access and parking update before leaving.

Questions? The project’s public involvement team can be reached at (262) 933-0467 or info@oaklandavereconstruct.com.

What Is Shorewood Doing to Oakland Ave?

This is much more extensive than a resurfacing project. Oakland Avenue is one of Shorewood’s most important commercial and transportation corridors, and the reconstruction involves the street itself along with utilities and other infrastructure beneath and around it.

The Village awarded the construction contract to Zignego Company in December 2025 for approximately $5.05 million.

The project includes roadway reconstruction, utility work, hardscape restoration, traffic-signal improvements and pavement markings. For Shorewood, that means months of disruption in exchange for rebuilding a major corridor rather than simply patching an aging street.

The rebuilt Oakland Avenue will also include painted bike lanes. They’re part of a broader set of pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements that also includes curb extensions to shorten crossings, new and upgraded flashing pedestrian beacons, and accessible traffic signals. So when the cones finally disappear, Oakland should look a little different for people traveling by bike or on foot, too.

Keep Supporting Oakland Avenue Businesses

One of the biggest challenges during a project this large is keeping the businesses along the construction zone accessible.

The Oakland Avenue project website specifically encourages residents and visitors to continue supporting businesses along the corridor during construction.

Fortunately, Oakland Avenue packs a remarkable number of restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and other businesses into a relatively short stretch.

If construction has kept you away, this might actually be a good excuse to explore.

Our Best Restaurants in Shorewood guide includes plenty of local favorites, while our Shorewood Outdoor Dining Guide highlights spots including Brat House Shorewood, Stone Creek Coffee, Fiddleheads Coffee, North Shore Boulangerie, Draft & Vessel, Cloud Red and Colectivo.

Many are located directly on Oakland Avenue — which makes supporting them during construction especially meaningful.

Make a Shorewood Day Out of It

If you’re already coming to Shorewood, there are plenty of ways to combine an Oakland Avenue stop with a family adventure.

Shorewood Farmers Market

The Shorewood Farmers Market wrapped up its 2026 season on Oct. 25 at the south end of Estabrook Park.

The market ran from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features local produce, prepared food, baked goods, artisan products and plenty of options for breakfast or lunch.

📍 Estabrook Park
4100 Estabrook Parkway

Explore Estabrook Park

While you’re there, explore more of the park with our complete Estabrook Park guide.

Families can explore trails, visit the dog park, stop at the beer garden or connect to the Oak Leaf Trail.

Bike or Walk the Oak Leaf Trail

Another way to avoid Oakland Avenue traffic altogether is to arrive by bike.

Our Ultimate Oak Leaf Trail Guide includes Shorewood stops and connections, including access near Olive Street, Congress Avenue and Kensington Boulevard.

Head to Atwater Beach

Construction or not, one of Shorewood’s best family destinations remains just a few blocks east.

Head to Atwater Park for the playground, Lake Michigan views and beach access — or turn the visit into a little local history lesson with our guide to the Appomattox shipwreck at Atwater Beach.

What to Know Before Visiting

The biggest thing to remember is that conditions can change quickly as crews move from one portion of the project to another.

Before heading to Oakland Avenue, check the latest Oakland Avenue construction update for current closures and parking information.

Allow a little extra time, watch carefully for construction workers and equipment, and use established pedestrian crossings.

And perhaps most importantly: don’t let the construction keep you from visiting your favorite Shorewood businesses.

The cones are temporary. The restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and neighborhood businesses along Oakland Avenue still need customers while the street around them is being rebuilt.

With all side streets reopened and the ribbon cutting on the calendar, the finish line is finally in view.

We’ll continue updating this guide as Shorewood moves toward completion of the project.