I-94 East-West study public comment period extended to January 31, 2023

In November 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a preferred alternative to reconstruct the I-94 East-West corridor between 70^th Street and 16^th Street in Milwaukee County. This alternative improves safety, replaces aging infrastructure and reduces congestion on the nearly 60-year-old highway.​​

Two public hearings were held in December 2022. Materials from the hearings and public involvement opportunities are posted on the I-94 East-West project website. Together with FHWA, WisDOT is extending the official comment period by two weeks to January 31, 2023.

“Public involvement and coordination is a critical part of the I-94 East-West reevaluation process,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “Extending this comment period ensures all voices are heard as we work with stakeholders to minimize any impacts to the community. We remain committed to developing infrastructure solutions that benefit the public for decades to come.”

As a result of the input gathered during this process, the preferred alternative includes constructing a modern eight-lane freeway and replacing the Stadium Interchange with a Diverging Diamond Interchange. Other improvements include:

• Modernizing the 68^th/70^th Street, Hawley Road, 35^th Street and 25^th/27^th Street interchanges to provide better and safer access for Milwaukee neighborhoods.
• Enhancing connections for nearby Milwaukee neighborhoods to other areas of the city, county and state.
• Improving bicycle and pedestrian accommodations across I-94 and connecting the Hank Aaron State Trail with the Oak Leaf Trail.
• Increasing safety and efficiency on adjacent east-west roadways by reducing future traffic volumes on local roadways. Local roads can better function for all modes of transportation.

WisDOT is anticipated to invest $25 million in transit solutions as a traffic mitigation strategy during construction. Short-term effects of the increased transit funding will aid Milwaukee County’s efforts to employ new transit such as the 27^th Street Bus Rapid Transit.

As a result of the public involvement through the environmental document process, some impacts were reduced including smaller infrastructure footprints and less real estate acquisition.

Stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments through the online comment form on the I-94 East-West project website or via email, mail or phone to WisDOT Project Manager Josh LeVeque:

• joshua.leveque@dot.wi.gov
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation – Southeast Region
  Attn: Josh LeVeque
  141 NW Barstow, STE 218
  PO Box 798, Waukesha, WI 53187-0798
• (414) 750-1468

To ensure that decisions about reconstructing the corridor are based on the most recent data and public input, WisDOT completed a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The SDEIS is available on the I-94 East-West website at wisconsindot.gov/94eastwest and at libraries in Wauwatosa, West Allis and Milwaukee: Milwaukee Central library, Washington Park Branch, Mitchell Street Branch, Martin Luther King Branch. It is also available for viewing at the following locations:

• City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works
  841 N Broadway, #501, Milwaukee
• Milwaukee County Department of Transportation (2^nd floor)
  10320 W Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa
• Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
  W239 N1812 Rockwood Drive, Waukesha
• WisDOT offices in Waukesha (141 NW Barstow Street) and Madison (4822 Madison Yards Way, 5 South)

More information on the I-94 East-West corridor project can be found at wisconsindot.gov/94eastwest.

Depending on final approvals and funding, construction on this section of I-94 is currently expected to begin in 2025.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.