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Southeast WI Freeway System

270 miles of freeways serve seven counties in southeast Wisconsin, each carrying thousands of cars and trucks each day.

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:

• Marquette Interchange, linking I-43, I-94 and I-794, in downtown Milwaukee
• Zoo Interchange, connecting I-94, I-894, and US 45, in western Milwaukee County
• Hale Interchange, connecting I-43, I-894, and US 45, near Hales Corners
• 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 time for complete reconstruction is near. Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has several initiatives underway to maintain and eventually rebuild the freeways in southeast Wisconsin.

I-94 North-South corridor

• Late 2004 - WisDOT announced I-94 North-South corridor would be next southeast freeway segment slated for reconstruction after Marquette Interchange.
• WisDOT completed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determine the ultimate needs for the corridor.
• May 30, 2008 - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved Final EIS (FEIS) and project advanced into final design stage.
• 2009 - Construction started.
• 2016 - Construction scheduled to be completed.

I-94 East-West Repaving Project

• 2011 - WIS 16 - 124th St. (Waukesha County) and 72nd St. - 32nd St. (Milwaukee County), repaving started
• 2012 - Repaving scheduled to be completed

Zoo Interchange (Apr. 27, 2012)

2007 - 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.

• Feb. 2012 - Record of decision (ROD) signed by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) following Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
• 2013-2014 - Improvements to adjacent major roadways scheduled to start
• 2015-2018 - Reconstruction of interchange scheduled to start

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Questions about the content of this page, contact:
Emlynn Grisar, ser.dtsd@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: April 27, 2012