Lake Drive Reopens in the North Shore
After a long construction season, traffic is flowing once more on North Lake Drive in Shorewood.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has completed the WIS 32 (North Lake Drive) Reconstruction Project between Edgewood Avenue and Kensington Boulevard in the Village of Shorewood. As of Wednesday, November 26, 2025, this stretch of Lake Drive is officially open to traffic.
What changed during construction?
This wasn’t just a repaving job. Over the 2025 construction season, crews:
Reconstructed the roadway base and driving surface with concrete for a smoother, longer-lasting ride.
Replaced the combined sewer system and installed new water mains and water laterals beneath the street.
Replaced curb ramps to meet current ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards.
Improved safety for people crossing the street with new pedestrian curb extensions and rectangular rapid flash beacon (RRFB) pedestrian signs.
Added dedicated bicycle lanes in each direction to better serve people biking along the corridor.
Upgraded traffic signals and lighting for better visibility and safer intersections.
You’ll especially notice the new flashing RRFB pedestrian crossings at Menlo Boulevard and Jarvis Street, designed to make it easier and safer to cross Lake Drive.
What’s still happening?
Even though the roadway is open, crews will remain on site over the next several weeks to wrap up:
Landscape restoration
Traffic signal work
Final pavement markings
Miscellaneous “punch list” items
So you’ll still see workers and occasional lane shifts — use extra caution and watch your speed.
Lake Drive is one of the North Shore’s key north–south routes. The completed project means:
A smoother drive for commuters and school drop-offs
Safer crossings for students, walkers and runners heading to the lakefront and neighborhood parks
Better biking connections along the corridor
Updated underground utilities that should serve the neighborhood for decades
After a season of detours and orange barrels, the cones are finally coming down. Lake Drive is back — smoother, safer, brighter, and ready for your next North Shore adventure.
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