We Energies blocked off a portion of east-bound traffic on West Lincoln Avenue on Wednesday, July 29, without city approval, according to Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa, who held a press conference that same day to announce a push for stricter rules on notifying communities ahead of planned road and utility work.

At the Wednesday press conference, at Milwaukee’s garbage drop-off and city tow lot, Zamarripa, of District 8, stated that the closure and lack of notice to residents was “not only unacceptable, it’s unlawful,” and frustrating for residents who are experiencing an “intense construction season.”

Initially, the utility company agreed to close east-bound travel to relocate gas main lines, with the work set to begin on Thursday, July 30. However, the work began a day early with no notice to residents, local business owners or city officials, according to Zamarripa.

We Energies has neglected to notify residents of similar road projects in the past, Zamarripa said.

Most recently, in June 2026, the company failed to notify residents and business owners of utility road work on West National Avenue and South 16th Street.

The company received a $250 fine from the Department of Public Works for each of the two days of construction, according to a notice sent to We Energies by Public Works.

Zamarripa and Ald. Peter Burgelis of District 11 have introduced two ordinances that would require utility companies to give the city and its local residents more notice before any roadwork and would increase fines for failing to provide adequate notice.

Currently, utility companies must provide notice to residents and business owners at least 72 hours prior to the start of any excavation project if the work will last more than 24 hours and obstruct access to private property or disrupt utility services.

The cost of the permit for utility work requiring excavation is around $175, and to get a permit a company must notify residents of the planned work.

The fine for failing to secure a permit is twice that amount for each day the road is closed without permission, Burgelis said.

Zamarripa’s proposed ordinance would require the Department of Public Works to receive a report from any utility company in the weeks leading up to major road projects so the department can help notify residents of planned roadwork.

The proposed ordinance introduced by Burgelis would raise the fine for closing a city road without a permit to $1,000 per lane, per hour, he said.

Both files must first go through the City Attorney’s office for approval, and then the Common Council will vote on them in September, Burgelis said.

“Maybe that will get We Energies’ attention,” Burgelis said. “People have to get to work, and if you don’t follow the rules, instead of a slap on the wrist, this is something much more substantial.”

Alyssa Salcedo covers Silver City, Layton Park and Burnham Park for the Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch. Contact her at asalcedo@usatodayco.com.

Neighborhood Dispatch reporting is supported by Zilber Family Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, Journal Foundation, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and reader contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. Journal Sentinel editors maintain full editorial control over all content. To support this work, visit jsonline.com/support. Checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation (memo: “JS Community Journalism”) and mailed to P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: City officials move to increase fines following unpermitted road closures

Reporting by Alyssa N. Salcedo, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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By Alyssa N. Salcedo, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network