MILWAUKEE - Governor Jim Doyle today kicked off construction on the I-94 North-South Freeway project that will modernize and expand the corridor to eight lanes. About $1.9 billion in improvements are planned for the North-South Freeway which runs from the Illinois-Wisconsin state border to Milwaukee. The project is expected to create more than 2,300 jobs and be complete in 2016.
“Improvements to the North-South will create thousands of jobs and will support Wisconsin’s overall economy by accommodating business and recreational travelers for years to come,” Governor Doyle said. “The state and federal investments being made to Wisconsin’s transportation system mean we will emerge from the national economic situation stronger, more modern, with an improved infrastructure that will help Wisconsin succeed in the worldwide economy.”
The $1.9 billion dollar initiative will improve safety, ease congestion and modernize one of the state’s most important transportation arteries. The North-South Freeway, which is about 50 years old, is the most widely used freeway in the state carrying 150,000 vehicles every day. Segments of the freeway have been resurfaced four times.
The initiative is the single largest transportation project Wisconsin has ever undertaken. Construction will follow the Marquette Interchange model of success, now a national model for “mega” transportation projects. The Marquette Interchange was completed last summer early and under budget.
The finished project will:
· Move ramp exits to the right side of the freeway;
· Minimize current and future congestion, which results in fewer crashes, less waiting time and safer driving on the freeway;
· Replace deteriorating pavement and structures with new designs;
· Minimize impacts to local residents and the environment;
· Provide aesthetic treatments for those who live adjacent to the freeway; and
· Construct an additional lane in each direction.
The Governor’s current budget includes $245 million for the construction to begin. The Governor’s FY 09-11 budget proposal provides $517 million dollars for the North-South project. Additional funds for the project will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Public information of lane and ramp closures on the North-South, and other routes/modes of transportation will be provided at www.plan94.org.
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