Reimagining WIS 175 Study – Milwaukee County

Overview​​​

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), along with study partners Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee, are collaboratively working on a study for WIS 175 between Wisconsin Avenue and Lisbon Avenue. Click here to view a map of the study area.

WIS 175 Corridor

This is our opportunity to re-think WIS 175, also known as the Stadium Freeway or the Stadium Spur. This 6-lane urban freeway was constructed in 1962 and impacted Washington Park and other properties. This section of WIS 175 was part of a larger freeway network that was never built. Now, the resulting depressed freeway with grade separated interchanges creates a disconnect between neighborhoods with a lack of pedestrian, bike, and bus access.

Goals

The Reimagining WIS 175 Study will take a comprehensive, holistic approach to evaluate potential, viable alternatives for the future WIS 175 corridor in a way that accommodates vehicles, transit, bicycle and pedestrian connections; connects neighborhoods, and promotes socio-economic vitality.

Scope of Study

  • Partner with community stakeholders to identify the status of the existing roadway infrastructure and identify opportunities for potential future improvements.
    • Analyze a variety of alternatives ranging from replacing the freeway to an at-grade street considering green spaces, parks, land use and future development.
  • Involve the community with robust public engagement.
  • Identify viable alternatives that meet the traffic and community needs with a focus on reconnecting communities.

Public Involvement

The Reimagining WIS 175 Study is using Social Pinpoint to engage with the community. Social Pinpoint offers diverse participation opportunities to engage with the study, such as an interactive map, surveys, FAQs, and other activities. There, you can also find information that has been presented at public involvement meetings previously held. Public involvement is an important part of the Reimagining WIS 175 Study, and Social Pinpoint is where you can find the latest information on ways to engage with the study.

Status and Schedule

The Reimagining WIS 175 Study began in 2022 and is anticipated to be finalized in 2025.

At the end of this study, a final report will be prepared documenting the study efforts recommending 2-3 viable alternatives that could be taken into environmental review. If a future project is funded along this corridor, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to selecting a preferred alternative. Once the NEPA process is complete final design and construction could be completed.

Contact

Doug Cain, WisDOT Project Manager
(262) 548-5603
douglas.cain@dot.wi.gov

Dan Sellers, WisDOT Communications Manager
(262) 548-6702
daniel.sellers@dot.wi.gov