The Situation
The Village of Saukville in Ozaukee County faces growing traffic and infrastructure demands as it develops the Northern Gateway, a 99-acre mixed-use development with commercial, retail, housing, and industrial investment. The rapid pace of growth and the arrival of significant new employers have exposed infrastructure challenges.  

American Orthodontics, a Wisconsin-based, family-owned company and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of orthodontic supplies, has opened a new facility at this location, requiring reliable road access for employees, vendors, and deliveries. However, the lack of direct north/south connectivity and limited access to WIS 33 pose logistical obstacles for employees, suppliers, and deliveries.  

What is the “fix,” and how does it benefit the community and the state?
To address this challenge, a key project will extend Market Street northward, providing American Orthodontics and other businesses with a direct link to WIS 33 and enabling northbound and southbound access to the Northern Gateway development. The new section of roadway will include a raised wetland crossing with culverts, required earthwork, and a surface roadway built to Saukville’s standards, providing full north-south access for cars, trucks, and cyclists.  

This new corridor will enable American Orthodontics to add almost 150 new jobs to its Saukville location, support employee commutes, and streamline truck access for manufacturing and distribution. The improved infrastructure will make Northern Gateway more attractive to other employers, enhance safety and connectivity for Saukville residents and the broader region, and help drive Saukville’s economic future.  

What makes the investment possible?
The project is primarily funded by a $700,000 Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The TEA program provides matching funds to support public infrastructure projects that directly generate new business growth and job creation. The grant will cover more than half the cost of the project, with local partners – including Saukville government, Ozaukee Economic Development, developers, and the business community – providing the required matching resources. This collaboration reflects broad support for nurturing economic growth and creating a welcoming climate for new employers.​  

What are the Next Steps?
Saukville will complete the engineering plans and proceed with construction bidding. While the exact start date for building the Market Street connection to WIS 33 has not been finalized, the broader Northern Gateway development is scheduled for completion by 2027.