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Southeast WI freeway system

There are 270 miles of freeways serving seven counties in southeast Wisconsin, with each carrying thousands of cars and trucks each day. The southeast freeway system is the economic lifeline not only for the region, but for the entire state. Manufacturers in Milwaukee, tourism destinations in Door County, and commuters in Washington County depend on safe and efficient freeway connections.

The system also includes several freeway interchanges, providing access from one freeway to another. In Milwaukee County, four major interchanges serve as the hubs of the southeast freeway system:

• The Marquette Interchange, linking I-43, I-94 and I-794 in downtown Milwaukee; 
• The Zoo Interchange, connecting I-94, I-894 and US 45 in western Milwaukee County; 
• The Hale Interchange, connecting I-43, I-894 and US 45 near Hales Corners; and 
• The Mitchell Interchange, linking I-43, I-94 and I-894 near General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.

Most of these freeways and interchanges were built in the 1950's and 1960's, meaning that the time for complete reconstruction is near. WisDOT has several initiatives underway to maintain and eventually rebuild the freeways in southeast Wisconsin.

Marquette Interchange Project

In 2003, Governor Doyle announced an $810 million initiative to completely rebuild a newly designed Marquette Interchange in downtown Milwaukee. Major construction began on this project in 2004, with completion scheduled by the end of 2008. This is the first step in the reconstruction of the southeast freeway system.

I-94 North-South corridor

In late 2004, WisDOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi announced that the I-94 North-South corridor would be the next southeast freeway segment slated for reconstruction after the Marquette Interchange.

WisDOT recently completed the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determine the ultimate needs for the corridor. On May 30, 2008, the Federal Highway Administration approved the Final EIS and the project advanced into the final design stage. Construction on the project is slated to begin in 2009.

Zoo Interchange

WisDOT is currently undertaking an environmental and engineering analysis of the Zoo Interchange. Currently the busiest interchange in the state, The Zoo Interchange plays a key role in moving commuters, retail customers, health care patients, freight and other movements to major commercial and institutional sites. WisDOT has maintained and rehabilitated the ramps, bridges, pavements and other structures, but the interchange is nearing the end of its useful life. Now is the time to take the next steps to determine how the interchange should be rebuilt to ensure that it serves the economy for decades to come.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Emlynn Grisar, sewicommuter@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: December 8, 2008