Milwaukee-area groups celebrate I-94 project being put on hold

 

MILWAUKEE - Governor Scott Walker ended efforts to expand I-94 between the Marquette and Zoo interchanges last week.

Members of the "Coalition For More Responsible Transportation" see that as something to celebrate. The group said they aren't opposed to construction work but think expansion is not what the community needs right now.

"We're asking WisDOT to go back to the drawing board and make a plan that will repair the highway without expanding and incorporate as well a plan for modern rapid transit," said Emma Fisher, an organizer for Wispirg.

"Sticking your head in the sand doesn't make the problem go away, and the problem remains this is one of the most congested and dangerous stretches of road in Wisconsin," said Steve Baas, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.

Baas says the stretch of the roadway will need to be resurfaced within the next five years if it isn't rebuilt. That could cost 60 to 70 million dollars.