The Brief
- Milwaukee’s mayor announced his recommendations on Wednesday regarding the future of the elevated I-794 corridor.
- The state is deciding whether to replace, redesign, or completely tear down the 50-year-old highway segment.
- Removal could add up to 20 minutes to commutes but would unlock major economic redevelopment opportunities.
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. …