U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Mendez Visits Milwaukee's I-94 North-South Freeway Project

Topics:  Interstate Highway System, Anthony Foxx

Federal Highway Administration
30 April 2015

FHWA 32-15
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Contact: Neil Gaffney
Tel: 202-366-0660

Urges Congress to Pass GROW AMERICA Bill to Provide Long-Term Highway, Bridge Funding

RACINE, Wis. – U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Victor Mendez joined state and local officials for a site visit and tour of the I-94 North-South Freeway Expansion and Reconstruction project, calling it an example of the large-scale, regional investments that can be generated nationwide if Congress passes a long-term transportation bill this year.

"I-94 is an economic lifeline for the state of Wisconsin and the improvements being made here will help workers, commuters and travelers all across the state this year and in the decades to come," said Deputy Secretary Mendez. "Wisconsin is doing the work needed to build better roads, bridges and highways. Congress needs to do its part by passing a transportation bill to sustain growth for future generations."

Earlier this year, the Administration announced a plan to address the infrastructure deficit with a $478 billion, six-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal, the GROW AMERICA Act. The proposal would make critical investments in roads, bridges and other infrastructure needed to promote long-term economic growth, enhance safety and efficiency and support jobs well into the 21st century.

"By planning for the future, Wisconsin is doing what it can to be economically competitive in the 21st century," said Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. "Like every other state nationwide, it needs long-term federal funding to continue building and maintaining better, safer and more modern roads, bridges and highways. By investing in America, we can build a better economic future in Milwaukee, suburbs like Racine and in communities across the country."

The $1.65 billion I-94 North-South Freeway Expansion and Reconstruction project, which relies on $660 million in federal funds, is expected to ease congestion and improve safety along I-94. The project extends 35 miles from the I-94/I-43/I-894 Interchange in Milwaukee County and extends south through Racine and Kenosha Counties to Russell Road near the Illinois state line.

Wisconsin DOT plans to reconstruct all interchanges, relocate all left exit/entrance ramps on systems interchanges, increase capacity on some sections by expanding the number of lanes from six to eight, and rebuild the interchange and the Wis-119 Airport Spur to General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. The project, which includes the construction of a new interchange at Drexel Avenue, is more than half complete and is on track to be finished in 2022. About $90 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds were used to fund the reconstruction of two interchanges in Racine and Kenosha Counties.