Milwaukee I-794: Mayor recommends improving freeway, not tearing down

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson recommended on Wednesday, July 8, that the elevated portion of Interstate-794 between downtown and the Historic Third Ward be improved. He said while there are benefits to tearing the freeway segment down entirely, "the negative consequences of doing so became apparent upon more detailed analysis," the mayor said. 

I-794 debate

What they're saying:

"Traffic studies show a significant potential for gridlock, particularly in the summer season if the traffic on 794 is brought down to street level. If 794 traffic is in the mix, lift bridges could cause gridlock throughout the summer," Johnson said in a news conference. "You add on the activity that we see during the festival season in the area east of the river could be completely impassable at times. Visitors to our lakefront could see big tie-ups."

The mayor also mentioned that residential neighborhoods north and south of I-794 could also see increased spillover traffic from the freeway being brought down to grade. 

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Johnson also mentioned that activity at Port Milwaukee, which handles roughly 1,000 trucks per day.

"Without the existing interstate highway, many of those trucks would then be rumbling through neighborhoods across the city," Johnson said. 

The mayor mentioned there have been some who argued taking town I-794 would be similar to what happened to Milwaukee's Park East freeway segment. 

"But there's one really big difference in that, though. And that's that the Park East Freeway carried very little traffic, so street-level changes could accommodate the freeway's removal. That's just simply not the case for 794," Johnson said. 

Johnson said ultimately, the future of I-794 will be determined at the state level. 

Reaction

What they're saying:

The group Rethink 794 issued the following statement on Wednesday's announcement: 

"These comments are shortsighted and lack vision, the highway "improvement" doesn’t improve the city." Says Taylor Korslin, "If we want to be bold about growing the city to 1 million people, and the year of housing, this is where you start. Thousands of people could live right here."

"The next generation does not want to inherit a downtown with this elevated highway through it."

"In every highway-to-boulevard debate you hear the scare of "gridlock", you heard it in the Park-East removal, and it’s echoed now, but gridlock doesn’t materialize, people adapt more than DOT predicts."

"These comments are shortsighted because the DOT has shown removal is viable, that traffic would flow, it just takes bold leadership to see a brighter future for Milwaukee, unfortunately "improvement" in this case, lacks improvement for the city."

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) issued a news release on Wednesday supporting Johnson’s recommendation to advance the Freeway Improvement (hybrid) option as the preferred path forward for the I-794 Lake Interchange.

"The business community has been clear: Milwaukee needs infrastructure that keeps people and commerce moving," said MMAC President and CEO Dale Kooyenga. "The mayor's recommendation addresses a critical transportation need, supports future economic growth and minimizes disruption for residents and businesses alike."

 According to WisDOT, the goal of the project is to improve safety and operations within the corridor while enhancing community connectivity and compatibility with local plans and development.

"Livability and economic growth go hand in hand," said Kooyenga. "Whether it's getting to work or enjoying everything Milwaukee has to offer, people deserve infrastructure that is safe, reliable and built for the future."

The Greater Milwaukee Committee Board of Directors released the following statement:

"The Greater Milwaukee Committee supports Mayor Cavalier Johnson's decision regarding the future of Interstate 794 and appreciates the thoughtful, transparent process that brought us to this point."

"This decision provides much-needed clarity for residents, businesses, developers and community stakeholders who have been awaiting direction on one of the region's most significant infrastructure projects. We commend the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Mayor Johnson for undertaking a thorough review process that included public input, open dialogue and careful consideration of the project's long-term impacts on Milwaukee's economy, transportation network and future growth."

"While we recognize that members of the community hold differing views regarding the future of I-794, we believe it is important to move forward with a plan that maintains regional mobility, supports economic development and avoids the significant disruption that could result from removing this critical transportation connection."

"Milwaukee's continued success depends on our ability to make thoughtful decisions about infrastructure that strengthen connections between downtown, surrounding neighborhoods and the broader region. With a path forward now established, we encourage continued collaboration among city, state, business and community leaders to advance this project and ensure it delivers long-term benefits for Milwaukee."

"Considerable work remains to refine the remaining options. This includes seamless integration with the existing street grid, along with maximizing the open space that will be created to encourage future development. Understanding the potential implications for area residents, businesses and Milwaukee’s cultural attractions is vitally important."

"We look forward to working alongside Mayor Johnson, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and community stakeholders as planning continues and implementation moves ahead."

The backstory:

The stretch of I-794 is more than 50 years old. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is now looking at alternatives for the I-794 Lake Interchange corridor – from the Marquette Interchange to the Hoan Bridge. 

DOT officials are looking at whether to replace the stretch of highway, improve it with a new design, or tear it down altogether.

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One study showed removing the freeway could add up to 20 minutes to some rush hour commutes. But people in favor of removing the freeway say it could open up economic opportunities.

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