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You'll even be able to see the Hyatt when driving west on Wells. |  |
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 | By Jeff Sherman   OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer Photography by Jeff Sherman E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Jeff Sherman |
| Published June 19, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. |
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Today the City of Milwaukee begins to complete the job it started several years ago, changing Wells Street -- along its entire stretch -- to a two-way street.
The City's Public Safety Committee will hear comments on Alderman Bob Bauman's ordinance "relating to traffic controls on East Wells Street and West Wells Street between Prospect Avenue and North 6th Street" at 9 a.m.
As a passionate Downtown resident, I believe the city has an obligation to finish what it started (it changed Wells west of 6th to two-way years ago) and to follow the Downtown Master Plan that states, "as many streets as possible be converted to two- way streets."
I believe that one-way traffic is bad for business, bad for the Bradley Center and M&I Bank (way too confusing) and limiting for the views of The Pabst Theater and the new, taxpayer-funded City Hall rennovation. Not to mention that a one-way Wells Street also will drastically limit access to the Bronze Fonz.
Currently, visitors to the Downtown area are forced to go around blocks to reach their destination or to find parking. Under this plan, which was former Mayor Norquist's vision when he changed Wells to two-way west of 6th Street years ago, accessibility to the neighborhood and businesses will be improved by eliminating the inefficient circulation of traffic to reach destinations. The Kilbourn and State bridge closings have made this change more important, too.
Anyway, hats off to the city for finally getting religion about the need to kill one-way streets in our Downtown.
Now, check out the views in the photo gallery above to see what you'll soon (hopefully) be able to see when you drive west from the lake on Wells Street.
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5 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by hardgeminiguy on June 19, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (report)
waukesha continues to be difficult getting around in via car. at least their 5 points is better with the gazabo removed--was beautiful but sure made driving a mess. we should have few if any one way streets in milwaukee. driving downtown will greatly improve with a major street as wells st. is reverting to 2 way completely. prospect and farwell next? jerry johnson
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Posted by Hckyboy00 on June 19, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. (report)
I think what you are referring to is the old Park East spur which made getting to the east side much more enjoyable without having to scare anyone older than 35 by forcing you to drive down North, Center, or Locust from 7th St. east. And while the scenery in that part of town is lovely, it's no wonder UWM makes driving directions to campus to go the long way and have you either get off on Capitol or take Lake Drive. Secondly, it's easy to remember where it used to be, because it is still a giant expanse of grass and gravel that makes you think that there was either a nuclear meltdown, or a heinous crime that has labeled the land as stigmatized.
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Posted by wstphl on June 19, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (report)
The last straw.......I'm moving to Waukesha. At least they respect the one-way.
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Posted by gleiss on June 19, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (report)
About time! Remeber the one way couplet that came off 794 into downtown? Hardly anyone even remembers which two streets it used. Just a few more to go...
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Posted by diesel1976 on June 19, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (report)
I think this is great, however, wells st has been one way so long it will take some getting used to be being able to go down that street going east. Its almost second nature that well is a one way street lol
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