MILWAUKEE – Today Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced plans to study reimagining the northern section of Highway 175—from Wisconsin Ave. to Lisbon Ave.
“While I have been vocal in my support for tearing down Highway 175 and converting it into a boulevard, I know that getting the details right on this project will be important,” said Supervisor Burgelis. “We must take the time to determine if the surrounding neighborhoods support a reimagining of the freeway spur or not. Robust community input continues to help shape the future of the I-94 East West freeway rebuild near AmFam Field, and I’m looking to Highway 175’s neighbors and business owners to step up, speak up, and get involved in this project.”
The Department of Transportation anticipates that the first phase of the study will take approximately 18 months. The department plans to host numerous public information meetings to gather community input. Details on these meetings will be forthcoming.
Proponents of converting Highway 175 into a boulevard cite the development around the former Park East Freeway as a model of the benefits of tearing down urban freeways. Its removal enabled the redevelopment of 24 acres of land—portions of which are now the Fiserv Forum and Deer District—and led to more than $1 billion in private investment.
