Wisconsin DOT announces plans for the I-94 North-South Corridor

November 16, 2007

Proposal places priority on safety improvements for the freeway system.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Frank Busalacchi today announced the state’s plan for rebuilding the I-94 North-South corridor in Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee counties.

“The state Legislature gave strong support to this project by providing $245 million in the current budget,” said Busalacchi.  “This plan keeps the process moving forward for work to begin in 2009,” he said.

The state has spent more than a year and a half studying various options for the 35-mile corridor. The reconstruction plan announced today:

• modernizes the corridor to meet current design standards to improve safety, including moving all exit ramps to the right side of the freeway
• expands the corridor from six lanes to eight lanes from the Illinois state line to the Mitchell Interchange, including the Airport Spur and Plainfield Curve, to minimize current and future congestion
• reconstructs 17 separate interchanges and adds a possible new interchange at Drexel Avenue and I-94 in Oak Creek
• rebuilds frontage roads in Racine and Kenosha counties
• replaces deteriorating pavement and structures throughout the corridor.

“This plan ensures that I-94 will meet the needs of Wisconsin for a safe and modern freeway far into the future,” Busalacchi said.  “Interstate 94 is a critical transportation artery for commerce and tourism in the state of Wisconsin. The plan will decrease congestion and provide the safest roadway possible for years to come.”

The estimated cost for the reconstruction with eight lanes is $1.9 billion. The costs will be covered with a mix of state, federal and bond funds.

“As with the Marquette Interchange, WisDOT, Governor Doyle, the Legislature and the state’s Congressional delegation will continue to work together to identify the funds needed to complete the project,” Busalacchi said.

Busalacchi said he is confident cost containment strategies, like those used on the Marquette Interchange project, will keep project costs in line. “The Marquette Interchange is on time and on budget - one of the few mega projects in the country that can make that claim,” he noted.

The entire southeast Wisconsin freeway system is in need of repair.  Preliminary engineering is underway on the Zoo Interchange, the connection between I-94, I-894 and US 45 in western Milwaukee County.  With construction of the Zoo Interchange slated to begin in 2012 the state is modifying the I-94 North-South corridor schedule to advance the two highest crash-prone sections - the Plainfield Curve and Mitchell Interchange - to begin in 2009 so that the Mitchell and Zoo interchanges are not under construction at the same time.

“It is important that we keep traffic moving throughout the corridor during this extensive project,” noted Busalacchi.  “Spacing out work on these two major areas will ensure the roadways are built with maximum safety and the least inconvenience to motorists.”

Work will also begin on the north/south frontage roads in Kenosha County in 2009.  These frontage roads feature “scissor-type” ramps that cross lanes of moving traffic, creating confusion and dangerous situations for motorists.

Busalacchi said a priority focus would be keeping impacts to local residents and the environment to a minimum.  He said aesthetic treatments would also be incorporated into the reconstruction effort.

WisDOT submitted its plan to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as part of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DIES).  WisDOT also has a request pending with FHWA for the new interchange at Drexel Avenue.

The public will have the opportunity to comment on the DEIS during four public hearings in December.  The public can also view the complete DEIS document at www.sefreeways.org

For more information, contact:
Emlynn Grisar, (262) 521-5373