WisDOT Getting Closer to I-794 Project Recommendations
Seeking 'most feasible' ways to tear down 1 mile (or less) stretch of downtown freeway.
![](https://urbanmilwaukee.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/24-126-POWERPOINT-26-1024x582.jpg)
I-794 removal concept #2. WisDOT.
If the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) took down a one-mile stretch of Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee, what would it look like? Based on recent comments made by project managers from WisDOT and the engineering consultant HNTB, they have some idea.
WisDOT has two preliminary design concepts for potential removal of the portion of I-794 running through Downtown. A project consultant noted that one of these concepts appears the “most feasible” of the two during a presentation to the Milwaukee County Board’s Committee on Transportation and Transit Tuesday.
The I-794 project is estimated to cost $300 million. WisDOT is currently developing design alternatives for rebuilding, improving and tearing down this stretch of freeway. It has already developed nine high-level, preliminary designs. The chief reason for the I-794 project is to address the “aging infrastructure” of the freeway, which was built in the mid-1970s, said David Pittman, a project manager with WisDOT.
The high-level removal concept presented to supervisors Tuesday is identified on the state agency’s project website at Freeway Removal Concept #2. Of the two, this one has appeared the “most feasible,” according to Mike Ernst, a project manager from engineering consultant HNTB. Ernst was careful to note, “we haven’t made the final decision yet on exactly which… we’re going to carry forward.”
If this stretch of freeway was removed, a four-lane boulevard version of Clybourn Street would take its place. Under the concept shown to supervisors Tuesday, the west end of the Clybourn boulevard would begin at 6th Street, just east of the Marquette Interchange. The freeway would remain as an elevated structure, gradually coming down to street grade and ending at 3rd Street. Those seeking to take I-794 would need to take Clybourn for about 10 blocks to the Lincoln Memorial Dr. entrance to the Hoan Bridge and I-794.
“One of the reasons that we show the concept the way it is, is predicated on the streetcar maintenance facility [450 N. 5th St.],” Ernst said, explaining that the goal is to “increase utilization of the surface street network and reduce overall intersection size while also avoiding impacts to the maintenance facility.”
All that said, WisDOT has not yet advanced recommended design alternatives. The state transportation agency is working on those alternatives now, which will include at least one design for rebuilding the freeway stretch as it exists, rebuilding it with design improvements and for removal.
South Shore Supervisor Objects
Sup. Steven Shea, who represents south shore communities like St. Francis, Cudahy and South Milwaukee, told the I-794 project team that he would not like to see the freeway torn down.
“My constituents have let me know that they won’t tolerate freeway removal,” he said. “That’s just a non-starter.”
His constituents don’t just use the freeway to access Downtown, but areas west of Downtown and the City of Milwaukee, the supervisor said. If the freeway is removed, his constituents will go over to I-94, increasing traffic and congestion, Shea said.
Yet he also said this stretch of I-794 through Downtown likely doesn’t need its current footprint. Still, he said, “I want to see some kind of preservation of 794.”
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More about the Interstate 794 Rebuild
- See What Boulevard Replacing I-794 in Downtown Would Look Like - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 30th, 2024
- Mayor Backs Boulevard To Replace I-794 Downtown - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 16th, 2024
- Murphy’s Law: No, I-794 Won’t Be Eliminated - Bruce Murphy - Jan 31st, 2024
- Transportation: WisDOT Getting Closer to I-794 Project Recommendations - Graham Kilmer - Jan 24th, 2024
- Port Officials Have Concern With Potential I-794 Removal - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 13th, 2023
- Murphy’s Law: Park East Removal Didn’t ‘Devastate’ Downtown - Bruce Murphy - Aug 14th, 2023
- How Committed Is City To Tearing Down 794? - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 26th, 2023
- Transportation: State Wants Feedback On Plans For I-794 - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 18th, 2023
- Transportation: See The State’s Design Concepts For Replacing Or Rebuilding Interstate 794 - Jeramey Jannene - Jun 23rd, 2023
- Interstate 794 Named Freeway Without A Future - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 25th, 2023
Read more about Interstate 794 Rebuild here
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As someone who followed the attempt to add bike paths the the Hoan bridge closely, it became crystal clear that WisDOT is absolutely intent on removing 794 from its funding obligations. WisDOT actually advocated for demolishing the Hoan Bridge. Its plan was to replace it with surface streets, which to anyone paying attention was ridiculously unworkable, because of the impacts to Jones Island and Summerfest.
This is relevant because any plan that incentivizes commuters to bypass 794 willl reduce traffic over the Hoan and move WisDOT one more step closer to declaring the Hoan Bridge unnecessary. I’m not a 794 commuter, and I prefer the plans that remove freeway legs for surface streets. But, beware of any plan that provides WisDOT ammo to remove the Hoan.
I dont get tearing it down. Making it user friendly I get.
I detest the Republican Party and everything it has become. But this ramrodding of a stupid idea by people unaffected by its consequences makes me understand how people will vote for them.
These are the same arguments used when the proposal to remove the Park East Freeway was proposed. Words like “catastrophe, loss of businesses, congestion, disaster, “ etc etc were bandied about. One dude even ran for mayor over the subject. Guess what? It was removed and now the area is thriving!
PVS49 Your comment is a false binary.
Southeastern Milwaukee County needs 794 to access multiple expressway junctions: 94; 43; 41-45 and 175. We also use the Hoan Bridge to get downtown.
Developing a hospitality district benefits developers not Citizens.
Jobs? Likely, more low-wage service jobs.
BigRed81:
794 ends on its west end about 6th Street and its east end at Lincoln Memorial Dr., which is the north end of the Hoan. The current proposals do not remove the Hoan.
794 does not intersect with 41-45 or 175, and there are many highway interchanges for 94 and 43.
Commuters could still take the Hoan to get downtown. Commuters taking 794 as a shortcut, would have the option of taking the interchange closest to them, or use the Hoan and Clybourn (the proposed 794 replacement).
Hopefully, the freed up real estate would be used more for business and rental development than simply hospitality, as it is considered to be the most valuable vacant property in Milwaukee as it is adjacent to and part of the downtown area.
Cox… The Hoan is NOT getting demolished. Please stop conflating the 794 removal, that divides downtown and creates an enormous deadzone w/this fake idea the hoan is coming down.