September 12, 2025 – West Bend, WI – Motorists in West Bend, WI, have been submitting photos and asking for answers on why contractors are busting up the pavement again, when the project at 18th Avenue and Highway 33 was nearly finished.
Contractors have been working since late July on the intersection.
Improvements Include:
- Concrete pavement replacement
- Reconfiguration of turn lanes
- Traffic signal replacement
- Concrete curb and gutter, and sidewalk improvements
- Storm sewer modifications
- New pavement marking and signing.
- The DOT said work will be completed in late October 2025.
Neighbors said, although the lights still needed to be installed it appeared the project was nearly finished… until, September 11, 2025, when contractors started busting up the new pavement.
Backups have been extensive, especially for east-west motorists.
One neighbor said the turn lanes were laid out wrong. Another pedestrian said the sidewalk ramp on the northwest corner by McDonald’s is all “wonky” because it’s about 3-feet off the crosswalk. People in wheelchairs using that east-bound ramp will run into the side of a vehicle in the right-turn lane and then have to readjust and scoot south for a bit until they hit the crosswalk. Unless contractors plan on laying a new crosswalk about 3 feet to the north.
While multiple calls had been placed to city officials on Thursday, no one called back. A phone number for the contractor was provided, but that number was not correct. A request for the correct number, went unanswered.
Police said busting up the concrete a second time is how this project is being completed.
What do you think is happening?
This story will be updated when details are available.
It’s like the old saying: you get what you pay for. The city of West Bend does everything on the cheap. Traffic lights have been screwed up for years. I avoid shopping in town because the traffic lights and condition of the roads. Whether it’s the city engineer or the construction company they hired, I think the city needs competent people in the right places