The Future of Milwaukee’s I-794 Is In Flux
by Christopher Hayden
The 794 spur that is debated among city and state leaders and residents.
Interstate 794 is facing an uncertain future.
In 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) launched the I-794 Lake Interchange Study. Its purpose was to address aging infrastructure while embracing local plans, community goals, and development. This initiative is being conducted with the assistance of the Federal Highway Administration.
“There are 28 original bridge structures within the study area that are approaching the end of their useful service life,” said WisDOT Communications Manager Trevor Fannon when asked what prompted state officials to realize changes were needed. “While those structures remain safe for the traveling public, they will require investments that WisDOT is thinking about now.”
Analyzing the Four Concepts
To address these structural needs, WisDOT has been exploring four primary concepts:
Complete Teardown: Replaces the elevated freeway between the Marquette Interchange and Hoan Bridge with an at-grade street network on Clybourn Street, improving local street connectivity.
Freeway Improvement: Reconstructs the elevated freeway without expanding capacity while consolidating freeway access ramps.
Replacement in Kind: Retains existing access points while partially addressing outdated design features.
Leave As-Is: Avoids major reconstruction, though maintenance repairs would eventually become cost-prohibitive, leading to closure due to poor bridge conditions.
Currently, an environmental review is underway through the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS). According to Fannon, it will document the analysis of each concept and compare them across a range of factors.
Advocates Push for Removal
While the Lake Interchange Study focuses mostly on infrastructure, a local volunteer coalition named Rethink 794 emphasizes the potential community benefits. They believe freeway removal is the best path forward. Because removing the elevated freeway between the Marquette Interchange and Hoan Bridge would replace it with a street-level boulevard on Clybourn Street, Rethink 794 believes Clybourn would become a safer and more connected space for residents.
Overall, Rethink 794 aims to reconnect Milwaukeeans and rebuild local communities. However, they are not alone. 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, a non-profit advocacy organization, works with communities to champion land-use policies and transportation decisions that foster thriving environments. They are partnering with Rethink 794 by providing technical and coordination support to help achieve their vision for Milwaukee.
“We want to make sure that they understand our vision for what it is and what we’ve been saying,” said 1000 Friends of Wisconsin’s Raphie Torralba when asked about their progress with Rethink 794 so far. “So, if more people feel so inclined to then also continue reaching out to their elected officials to share their vision and engage on what this could be, then that’s kind of our path forward for now.”
Political Divide at City Hall
Torralba was referring to recent conversations held with Milwaukee Common Council members about the future of I-794. Earlier this month, Mayor Johnson voiced support for the replacement-in-kind option. However, Aldermen Brower, Bauman, and Moore pushed back, favoring the replacement of the elevated freeway with a street-level boulevard. While Rethink 794, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, and the aldermen share a common goal, a formal decision is not expected before 2030.
Next Steps for the Project
“Once the Draft EIS is released, there will be another opportunity for public review and comment, including a public hearing,” Fannon said when asked about the remaining steps in the environmental review. “After reviewing input, WisDOT expects to prepare a combined Final EIS and Record of Decision (ROD) documenting WisDOT’s responses to public and agency comments on the Draft EIS and finalizing the selected alternative.”
Christopher Hayden is the local news reporter for Bridge the City. You can connect with Christopher here.
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