Local and project officials prepare to cut the ribbon on the newly reconstructed section of Kenosha County Highway H in the Village of Pleasant Prairie on Friday. From left are Pleasant Prairie Village Administrator Nathan Thiel; Kenosha County Highway Director Clement Abongwa; Kenosha County Board Supervisor Andy Berg, a member of the board’s Public Works and Facilities Committee; Wisconsin DOT Southeast Region Local Program Manager Jacob Varnes; DOT Transportation Economic Assistance Program Manager Dave Carlson; County Board Chairman John O’Day; Emilie Williamson, corporate affairs manager on behalf of Kroger; Pleasant Prairie Village President John Steinbrink; County Board Vice Chairwoman Monica Yuhas; and County Executive Jim Kreuser.
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Kenosha County cuts ribbon on newly rebuilt Highway H in Pleasant Prairie

Project accommodates the new Kroger Delivery fulfillment center development

By KENOSHA COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS

Kenosha County is located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Its population in 2019 was estimated to be 169,561, making it the eighth most populous county in Wisconsin. The county is named after the county seat, Kenosha, the fourth largest city in Wisconsin.

PLEASANT PRAIRIE — Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser and others cut the ribbon today on a recently revamped section of Highway H in Pleasant Prairie.

The nearly-mile-long reconstruction of Highway H (88th Avenue) between 93rd Place and Bain Station Road included the addition of turn lanes to accommodate the new Kroger Delivery fulfillment center development at 9091 88th Ave.

Wisconsin DOT Transportation Economic Assistance Program Manager Dave Carlson speaks during Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

This roadwork was conducted with the support of a $951,135 Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

“We are so very appreciative of the State of Wisconsin for its assistance with a road project that is helping to facilitate a major development for Kenosha County and the Village of Pleasant Prairie,” Kreuser said. “Infrastructure leads to economic development, which leads to jobs, and this project is the embodiment of that idea.”

The 330,000-square-foot facility, scheduled to begin operations in 2022, is expected to employ approximately 400 people. It is one of several similar facilities that Kroger plans to develop across the nation to build its capacity to fulfill online grocery orders.

“This project expands Kroger’s commitment to continued investment in Wisconsin. With this cutting-edge technology, Kroger is confident our partnership with Ocado will play an integral role in the continued growth of this dynamic region,” said Ken McClure, regional director of corporate affairs for the Kroger Company. “This transformative fulfillment center will create local jobs and accelerate Kroger’s ability to deliver products and services to a larger footprint, providing customers with anything, anytime, anywhere and supports Kroger’s commitment to
providing Fresh for Everyone.”

An aerial shot of a recently reconstructed section of Highway H in Pleasant Prairie.
DRONE PHOTO: R.H. BATTERMAN

The road improvements, conducted from late-July through late-September, included full reconstruction of the existing roadway, the addition of northbound and southbound turn lanes to access the Kroger facility, drainage improvements, and relocation of existing street lighting.

“Congratulations to Kenosha County and Kroger for working together to strengthen economic opportunity in Southeast Wisconsin and create hundreds of new jobs.” Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson said. “This project is a great example of how transportation infrastructure improvements can drive growth.”

Earlier in the summer, Kenosha County conducted a separate reconstruction project farther south on Highway H, reconstructing what was a deteriorating roadway between Highway 165 and the Illinois state line. That 2-mile project was completed in August.

An aerial shot of a recently reconstructed section of Highway H in Pleasant Prairie.
DRONE PHOTO: R.H. BATTERMAN

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