The recent conversations about I-794 have us wondering again about the discussion we hosted just over a year ago on July 17th, 2023, at Marquette University. We were joined by Peter Park, the former planning director for the city of Milwaukee, who highlighted his work on taking out the Park-East Freeway 20 years ago. Following the presentation, Park joined a panel of Milwaukee leaders discussing the current proposal to remove I-794 between Downtown and the Historic Third Ward

Catastrophic flooding, record-setting air pollution from climate-driven wildfires, unprecedented early-season severe storms – the list goes on. In just the past year, it has become crystal clear that Wisconsin will not be spared from the impacts of climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels. Immediate change is needed. As the Trump administration defunds climate research and green infrastructure projects, all while seeking to boost oil and gas production, it’s imper

Mayor Cavalier Johnson's recommendation to retain an elevated I-794 connection has sparked discussion both in Milwaukee and nationally. This week, Streetsblog USA writer Aaron Short featured Milwaukee's debate in an article titled "Milwaukee Mayor Abandons Highway Teardown To Calm Irrational Fears Of Driver Class". This coverage opens the I-794 to a broader national conversation about highway removal and downtown revitalization. The article examines the tradeoffs between pres

Milwaukee (July 16) – Rethink 794, a Milwaukee volunteer coalition, and Strong Towns Metro MKE call on Gov. Tony Evers to pause the $10 million Interstate-794 resurfacing project until the ongoing Lake Interchange Study is completed. The groups also urged Evers to order the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) release Environmental Impact (EIS) data with ample time for public review, comment, and discussion before WisDOT releases its opinion on a preliminary prefer

Momentum Builds for the I-794 Boulevard Alternative The conversation around the future of I-794 is shifting. The decision about what should happen with the elevated structure has been long debated among residents, advocates, transportation professionals, and a few elected officials. The discussion has gained new attention following the joint statement from multiple Milwaukee Common Council members announcing their public support for the highway-to-boulevard (removal). This su

Today, Mayor Cavalier Johnson voiced his support for the so-called "Highway Improvement" option in WisDOT's Lake Interchange Study. We are deeply disappointed by this short-sighted comment, which fails to embrace the once-in-a-generation opportunity for Milwaukee. Choosing to back an alternative before the full data from the ongoing Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is evaluated is a premature step. We can all agree that an elevated highway simply does not belong through o

Source: Urbex Solutions A recent post on reddit sparked discussion about the economic tradeoffs of urban highways and theories about why or why-not development happens adjacent to freeways. The map above, created by Urbex Solutions, was shared in addition to the post and raises interesting questions for Milwaukee: How much economic potential is tied up in the land occupied by urban highways? What is the opportunity cost of a centrally located urban freeway? Looking more close

Rethink 794 concluded our Walk & Roll series with our final route looping around the Clybourn Bridge closure. The audit took place on Wednesday, May 27th near the end of peak rush hour. To view a summary of observations and route map, you can find a brief report of the walk-roll audit below: On the route, participants noted fragmented and incomplete pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, especially near the freeway ramps west of the river. The observation reinforces a consist

We attended the public meetings for WisDOT’s Lake Interchange last month and have some takeaways from the presentation materials. After this round of meetings, it’s clear to us that WisDOT’s traffic study is constrained in part by the traffic model limitations, including pedestrian & bicycle infrastructure, and the incomplete or conservative transit expansion data and land-use assumptions. The flaw with current traffic modeling is that they're highly sensitive to the assumpti

Join us as we navigate the freeway’s impact today, explore opportunities for what’s possible, and form recommendations for a more connected downtown. We'll meet at the Cambria Hotel Milwaukee Downtown (Clybourn and Plankinton). Participants will embark on a ~30-minute facilitated walk-roll audit, then return to the Cambria Hotel conference room for discussion and a tactile approach to creating a vision for the corridor through a creative urban planning exercise. Those that us

In conversations about what WisDOT should do about I-794, a common reaction to the removal-to-boulevard alternative is concern that vehicle traffic and congestion will increase and cause gridlock downtown. This concern comes from the assumption, which WisDOT uses, that vehicle traffic is like water; the volume will stay the same and disperse across the grid. We agree with this assumption, in part. We also believe that the existing street-grid downtown and a well-designed mult

This March, we had opportunities to connect with more community members in open dialogues and in first-hand experience of the corridor on our second Walk & Roll event. Connecting with Runners Year-round, the Buena Tierra Run Club gathers at Zócalo Food Park before starting their Wednesday running route toward the lakefront through the Third Ward. Zócalo is located just a couple blocks south of the 6th street bridge – just one of the main connection points between Walker’s Poi

Join the Rethink 794 team for our 2nd Walk & Roll event. We'll meet at the entrance of the US Bank Center on the corner of Wisconsin and Van Buren. Participants will embark on a ~30-minute facilitated walk-roll audit, focusing on the Clybourn and Lincoln Memorial Drive intersection, then return to the US Bank Center at the Cass st and Wisconsin Ave. entrance and head to the Colectivo on the galleria level (2nd floor) for discussion and light refreshments. Those that use wheel

On January 22, 2026, WisDOT released a summary of the findings from 842 public comment submissions from the November 2025 Lake Interchange Study public meetings. Here are some of our initial thoughts: The structure of the survey and summary report prioritizes freeway travel as the dominant lens for assessing impact on mobility in this corridor, while underrepresenting other forms of mobility and leaving out accessibility. This was not unexpected. However, the decision not to

A report of our preliminary findings from the first Walk & Roll 794 event are now available to view. The event took place on November 18th at 12pm and covered a western segment of I-794, adjacent to the Marquette Interchange. Read the full report here or through our new content library and let us know what you think! What's next? WisDOT’s Lake Interchange study page remains open for public comment . Submit comments to their public comment form through December 5th. Engage y

Join the Rethink 794 team for the first in a series of three “walk & rolls” along a segment of the I-794 corridor. We'll meet at the front of Stone Creek - Factory Cafe, review our route and goals, then begin our walk and roll. The walk will be ~30 minutes, facilitated by members of our citizen advocate team. The route will end back inside of Stone Creek where will discuss our findings and opportunities for a reimagined corridor. Those that use wheelchairs, bicycles, or mobi

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is hosting its third series of public open houses on Tuesday, November 4th and Wednesday, November 5th to update the community on the I-794 Lake Interchange Study. This is your chance to engage directly with WisDOT staff, review the defined alternatives—including Freeway Removal—and learn more about the upcoming Environmental Impact Statement process. This is a critical moment to show strong community interest in the freewa

UWM students in the 794 Urban Design Seminar this past semester published their findings in a book, Freeway to Skyline: I-794: What's Possible? Book cover for Freeways to Skyline Below is the description from the MINDS webpage: The UWM 794 Urban Design Seminar explored the long-term potential – If I-794 is removed, What’s Possible? Architecture and urban planning students envision what’s possible, including the potential for significant annual tax revenue – new development op

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is hosting a public open house on May 29th to update the community on the I-794 Lake Interchange Study. This is your chance to engage directly with WisDOT staff, review the defined alternatives—including Freeway Removal—and learn more about the upcoming Environmental Impact Statement process. Meeting Details: Milwaukee Marriott Downtown 625 North Milwaukee Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 Thursday, May 29, 2025 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm