Video shows a drive-through simulation of the proposed diverging diamond Stadium Interchange
New videos provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation shows a simulated drive-through of the proposed diverging diamond Stadium Interchange.
The DOT showed the videos at public meetings last week, and is still seeking feedback from the public.
The I-94 East-West Corridor Project is scheduled to begin construction in 2025. The stretch of highway from the Zoo to Marquette interchanges will be rebuilt after nearly 60 years.
Although the DOT has yet to make a final decision, it has at least two options on the table for the Stadium Interchange that it is considering: The diverging diamond interchange and the bigger "hybrid" model.
The diverging diamond interchange would be new to the Milwaukee area but not new to the U.S. The diverging diamond describes the traffic pattern that drivers would take while driving through the interchange. A portion of the interchange, Highway 175 running north and south, would also be at street-level, which many people have called for and the Brewers supported in recent days.
The hybrid model, which was released in 2021, proposes a much bigger Stadium Interchange, where ramps would be at least 25 feet taller than current ramps.
The DOT estimates that a diverging diamond design could save the state $70 million-$90 million. Although, DOT spokesperson Michael Pyritz told a Journal Sentinel reporter that the estimate could change, and it could be more or less.
If you'd like to provide feedback on the DOT's proposals please visit the DOT's online comment form.
Renewed effort to 'Fix at Six'
A day prior to last week's public meetings, a group of advocates that includes State Rep. Daniel Riemer (whose district is part of the rebuild) called on the DOT to not expand the existing footprint of the corridor of I-94 set to be rebuilt.
The group is pushing the "Fix at Six" plan, which would keep the footprint the same by remaining at six lanes. The DOT told elected officials earlier this month that it is considering both 6-lane and 8-lane designs.
The DOT has acknowledged that the larger design would call for some home and commercial displacement, something that Riemer considers unacceptable.
"They’ve designed the project in a way that would tear down homes and businesses, that’s a bad idea. They’ve designed a project in the way that it’s more expensive than it needs to be. That’s a bad idea," Riemer said.
"They could use the money they save by building it with a smaller impact inside what's called the existing footprint. And use that surplus to fix potholes, repair local streets, fix up bridges all around the state of Wisconsin, build bike lanes, fund buses and transit. There's a lot of smart ways to invest in infrastructure. This is the opposite of that."
At the local level, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Peter Burgelis, whose district encompasses part of I-94, has said he also supports the "Fix at Six" plan.
"What we don’t need is to overbuild and have a concrete jungle that doesn’t have the traffic to support it. ... The county board has already made a preference to fix at six," Burgelis said.
Last year, 16 of 17 County Board Supervisors voted against expansion, however, County Executive David Crowley vetoed the legislation.
The Milwaukee Common Council also opposed expansion and requested the DOT to conduct an environment impact analysis, which they are in the process of.
Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 or DBentley1@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DrakeBentleyMJS.