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I-94 North-South corridor study

En Español | Safety | Impacts/EIS | Cost

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has announced a 2009-2016 safety reconstruction plan for the I-94 North-South Corridor in southeast Wisconsin. This 35-mile stretch of I-94 plays a key role in the state’s economy. The recommended plan will improve safety, ease congestion and modernize this important transportation artery that serves more than 150,000 vehicles daily. See video clips of why this project is important to the state of Wisconsin.

Safety

• Redesigning and reconstructing the I-94 North-South Corridor is critical to ensuring the safety of motorists throughout the corridor.
• The priority is making the corridor safe for motorists and the recommended plan will do that. WisDOT approaches every project with the public in mind and works to be as cost-efficient as possible. The safety redesign and reconstruction involved will last for decades and greatly improve the highway system.
• Providing eight lanes versus six lanes is expected to result in 100 fewer crashes per year. Reconstructing the Mitchell interchange and the Plainfield curve will also increase safety in the system and reduce crashes.
• Future traffic volumes and level of service exhibit (714 KB)
• Areas of congestion exhibit
• Congestion increases, crash rates increase exhibit

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Impacts and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

• While the interstate will increase in its capacity to address safety concerns, the plan works to minimize any impact on neighborhoods and the environment.
• Economically, the project will keep vital interchanges and portions of the freeway open so goods and services can continue to move through our area.
• The Record of decision (ROD) was signed on May 30, 2008. The ROD is a document from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) that announced the agency’s final decision and support to reconstruct the I-94 North-South Corridor to an eight-lane freeway with design and safety improvements.
  • View the ROD and Appendix A (5.1 MB)
  • View the ROD (1.2 MB)
  • View the ROD, Appendix A - part 1 of 3 (1.3 MB)
  • View the ROD, Appendix A - part 2 of 3 (2.7 MB)
  • View the ROD, Appendix A - part 3 of 3 (2.7 MB)
• The Final EIS (FEIS) is available.
  •   View the FEIS.

Cost

• The $1.9 billion cost will reconstruct and redesign 35 miles of freeway, frontage roads and interchanges in the I-94 North-South Corridor.

*costs in billions

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• The project is eligible for FHA funds. While the preferred alternative with eight lanes will cost $1.9 billion, it is important to note that six-lane modernization would cost $1.7 billion. Simply replacing the roads the way they are would be around $1.4 billion.
• These improvements are costly, but necessary. They will make the roads better and safer. The new freeway design will also help drive southeastern Wisconsin’s economic engine by providing easy and safe access for commerce, transportation, and tourism.
• Cost containment strategies will also be put in place to ensure the $1.9 billion projected cost is not exceeded.

Kenosha-Racine I-94 service interchanges

In 1996, WisDOT completed an environmental assessment to rebuild and redesign a number of service interchanges along I-94 in Kenosha and Racine counties. WisDOT is currently working on final design and real estate acquisition for the interchanges, and will proceed to construction in 2009 and 2010, following completion of the Marquette Interchange Project.

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All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not testify to, sponsor or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Questions about the content of this page:
Emlynn Grisar, dotsefreeways94nsc@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: July 15, 2008