Plans for the renovation and redesign of Capitol Drive are currently being considered by the Village Board. The plans, drafted by the design company Graff, Anhalt, Schloemer and Associates Incorporated, include the reconstruction of Capitol east of Murray Avenue. The plans, which are currently 30% completed, include an increased road width and bicycle lane, as well as plans to renovate the bridge near Wilson Drive. The plans also hope to increase the overall number of trees and plants along the road, and “to green up Capitol Drive as best we can,” said Erik R. Schmitt, a landscape architect for the project

Initially, Graff, Anhalt, Schloemer and Associates Inc. made plans to adjust the road to include an 11 foot travel lane paired with a 12 foot area for parking and bikes. “It’s going to bring a whole new look and feel,” said Marybeth Mattson, the consultant project manager, who serves as the liaison between the village and the Department of Transportation.

Contractors are still waiting to hear back from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, WisDOT, as to the specific regulations regarding the measurements of new roads. “We’re balancing what the village would like to see with what the Department of Transportation would like to see out there,” said Jason R. Matson, a project engineer.

Members of a committee that met with the contractors also voiced the need for bike lanes on any new construction. Plans to include a striped or non-striped bike lane will also be considered by the contractors, pending approval by the WisDOT. “First and foremost, we’re hoping for a safer roadway,” M. Mattson said

Members of the committee voiced concern over the “zebra striped” lanes that are prevalent in Waukesha and Milwaukee’s East Side, primarily on North Avenue. “We’re in the process of evaluating whether a bike lane will be added,” J. Matson said.

The Village has encouraged an increased sidewalk area to support the new “walkable” Shorewood campaign, but the contractors have run into a space issue when designing the walkways. The six foot sidewalks the Village would like to see installed would only leave three feet for the installation of trees on the sidewalks perimeter, not enough for the roots of a full tree without additional equipment. “One of the biggest challenges is trying to accommodate everyone’s needs,” Schmitt said.

Members of the committee also recommended the addition of salt grates to preserve the quality of the tree’s water during winter months. All redone medians would also include irrigation systems to replace existing systems for plants.

Another major component of the plan involves the creation of numerous traffic signs and pedestrian activated stop walks, including in front of Atwater Elementary School. New signs will also be installed on Murray and Maryland Avenues.

The contractors have confirmed the road type to be concrete rather than the current asphalt. Reasons for the switch include a longer longevity among concrete roads and tendency of asphalt to conduct heat during the summer time.

Plans for a bridge on Wilson Avenue have been narrowed down to three major options. Concept A will be one long bridge with a central column and a small plaza underneath. Concept B is two separate bridges with tier walls to upper existing grades. B is 19 ft from the street to the railing. Concept C is much the same as B, except it includes a box structure. “Redoing the bridge has allowed us to design it as a natural gateway to the village,” Schmitt said.