WisDOT picks 8-lane freeway for I-94 East-West corridor reconstruction

State and federal highway officials have announced plans to widen the Interstate 94 East-West corridor to eight lanes.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration announced on Friday its reconstruction plan for an eight-lane freeway on the I-94 East-West corridor and replacing the Stadium interchange with a Diverging Diamond Interchange.

Crews will reconstruct the nearly 60-year-old freeway between 70th Street and 16th Street near American Family Field west of downtown Milwaukee. WisDOT dropped the project to overhaul the stretch of I-94 in 2017, but Gov. Tony Evers’ administration revived the project in 2020. At the plan’s current stage, crews are expected to break ground in 2025.

“Safety is our agency’s highest priority and doing nothing about this section of I-94 is not an option,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said in a statement. “Listening to people who live in the community is a vital part of creating safe roads. We placed a high priority on public involvement during the I-94 East-West reevaluation which resulted in significant changes to the previous proposal, and we remain committed to working with stakeholders to minimize any impacts to the community.”

Terry McGowan, president and business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139, called the project a once in a generation opportunity. Local 139 is part of the I-94 East West Econ Connect, a business coalition in favor of reconstructing the corridor with additional lanes.

“This is a once-in-generation opportunity to rebuild Milwaukee’s aging infrastructure while building its workforce,” McGowan said in a statement. “This project provides a path for new apprentices to learn a craft that can lead to a rewarding career working in the building and construction trades. It also presents the unique opportunity for workers to complete their paid apprenticeships on one project site without leaving Milwaukee.”

The department anticipates it will invest $25 million to transit solutions as a traffic mitigation strategy while the freeway is under construction, officials said. Short-term effects of funding will help Milwaukee County use the 27th Street Bus Rapid Transit, officials added.

Several groups opposed to the plan to expand the highway urged the state in September 2021 to spend more on transit and rebuild the roadway instead of adding lanes. The “Fix at Six” proposal included plans to expand the BRT route, focus on road repair and improve bicycle infrastructure according to a city master plan.

WisDOT has scheduled two public hearings for review and input.

• Dec. 12 from 3-7 p.m. the Tommy Thompson Youth Center in the Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St., Milwaukee
• Dec. 14 from 4-7 p.m. at Marquette University High School, 3401 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee