A number of transportation upgrade projects designed to improve Kenosha County roads and infrastructure are being planned for the next several years.

Kenosha County Highway Commissioner Gregory Boldt outlined the projects recently to members of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance.

The following projects are currently scheduled:

• Bridge replacements along County Highway A and County Highway WG.
• Resurfacing County Highway W from the Illinois state line through Highway C in Wilmot, including pedestrian accommodations and reducing curb distances.
• Continued expansion of Highway K, scheduled for 2029. Project design has begun for 94th Court to 115th St.
• Various improvement to Sheridan Road from the Kenosha County line on Highway 195 through the city of Kenosha.
• Reconstruction of Washington Road and 30th Avenue, with reconfigured lanes, and new traffic signals to improve safety.
• Traffic signal expansions on Highway Q for new developments coming to the area.

Boldt said some other long-term projects will include expanding 128th Avenue, and a review of the expansion needs of County Highway C.

Boldt said he has also been in discussions with Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala on options for 52nd Street from Interstate 94 through Downtown Kenosha.

“Not only are we looking at expansions, but there are improvements to the existing network that have to happen just so the roads are smooth and maintained to the best of our ability,” Boldt said.

He highlighted recently completed projects, which have included:

• Expansion of County Highway K from Green Bay Road to 94th Court, from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane road.
• Roadway reconstruction, with additional turn lanes and traffic signal installation, at Highway U, at the intersection of Highway C and at the intersection of County Highway Q.
• New roadways in the Kenosha Innovation Center area.
• Roadway construction and traffic signals on State Highway 50 through Paddock Lake.
• Resurfacing projects on Highway 83, from the Illinois state line to Highway 50.
• Resurfacing Highway E from 30th Avenue to Sheridan Road in Somers.

Utility discussions

At the KABA meeting, utility experts shared their roles in Kenosha County, including representatives of the Kenosha Water Utility, We Energies and ATC.

Don Bruessel, engineering manager of gas system engineering at We Energies, outlined updates for electric infrastructure and industry changes, such as additional demands for electric grid loads in electric vehicles and heat pumps.

“We’re seeing more severe weather and the duration of that weather is longer, causing extended outages,” he said. “Planning for the enhanced grid resiliency, we’re increasing investment in asset replacement, increasing our tree trimming along power lines and moving some of the overhead facilities underground to help during storm recovery.”

Read more at the Kenosha News.