Assembly members propose bill enumerating I-94 corridor project
Traffic and engineering experts say modernizing the I-94 east/west corridor is needed to realize the safety features, reduced congestion and operational capabilities of both the Marquette and Zoo interchanges.
MADISON, Wis. – Several members of the Wisconsin State Assembly have introduced legislation that would keep the critical Interstate 94 east/west corridor project on schedule by enumerating improvements between the Marquette and Zoo interchanges in Milwaukee County.
Assembly Bill 875 would not require any new spending or borrowing because funding is already available to design the reconstruction of the 3.5-mile stretch of freeway. The bill is being proposed by state Reps. Joe Sanfelippo, Janel Brandtjen, Cindi Duchow and Dan Knodl.
Traffic and engineering experts say modernizing the I-94 east/west corridor is needed to realize the safety features, reduced congestion and operational capabilities of both the Marquette and Zoo interchanges.
There is also a concern about the negative effects a delay would have on taxpayers and the economy.
If the state Legislature declines to enumerate the project in the near future, a majority of the work would be pushed back two years at the very minimum. If the setback is only two years, budget estimates would increase by $44 million due to inflation alone.
The crumbling roadway, which was originally built in the early 1960s, would also require a fifth pavement overlay as a stop-gap measure. But that would fail to address the underlying safety issues while unnecessarily costing taxpayers more than $20 million.
Sanfelippo also doesn’t want to see municipalities along the corridor suffer any hardships because of a potential delay. West Allis has been working very hard to develop a number of brownfield sites, and pushing back the planning of the east/west freeway project would greatly hamper their efforts to boost economic development in the area.
“Since we can continue the process without spending any additional money or issuing bonds, it’s just common sense that we allow the state to plan for this crucial undertaking,” Sanfelippo said. “The improved corridor will provide great benefits to the citizens and commerce in Wisconsin, so it’s in our best interests to keep the design stage moving so the project stays on schedule.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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Assembly members propose bill enumerating I-94 corridor project
Feb 8th, 2016 by State Rep. Joe SanfelippoTraffic and engineering experts say modernizing the I-94 east/west corridor is needed to realize the safety features, reduced congestion and operational capabilities of both the Marquette and Zoo interchanges.
