I-794 Lake Interchange Study

Exploring Possibilities Together

Let’s work together to deliver safe and efficient solutions that will enhance community connectivity, create land use opportunities and keep downtown and the region connected.

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The I-794 Lake Interchange Study is currently in the Alternatives Definition phase, where WisDOT is identifying alternatives and defining their elements to move forward into the Environmental Review phase. The alternatives advancing will include options from each concept group: No Build, Replace in Kind, Freeway Improvement and Freeway Removal.

Following preliminary analyses and public feedback gathered to date, WisDOT, in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), plans to issue a Notice of Intent (NOI) this year to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

WisDOT will present the defined alternatives and share more details with you, including traffic analysis, freeway and local street configurations, multimodal accommodations, and initial land use and development information at the next public meeting being planned for spring 2025.

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Concept Groups

Based on early engagement feedback, WisDOT developed initial design concepts for the I-794 Lake Interchange that fall into four groups:

NO BUILD

Bridges and ramps would not be replaced and would continue to deteriorate

REPLACE IN KIND

Reconstruct existing structure and match existing alignment to the extent possible

Maintain all existing access points

Limited local street and sidewalk improvements

FREEWAY IMPROVEMENT

Reconstruct elevated freeway without capacity expansion

Improve design features to meet current standards and improve safety

Consolidate freeway access ramps

Improve local street connectivity where feasible

Provide complete street accommodations where feasible

FREEWAY REMOVAL

Remove the freeway and utilize the at-grade street network

Improve local street connectivity where feasible

Provide complete street accommodations where feasible

Study Overview

The Lake Interchange Study is evaluating alternatives for the I-794 freeway corridor. The study is focused on aging infrastructure along a section of I-794 known as the Lake Interchange. The study corridor extends beyond the Lake Interchange, generally from the Marquette Interchange to the Hoan Bridge, due to the interconnectedness of the freeway and its ramps in this area. The study is exploring ideas to improve the freeway corridor while also considering how the project could improve local street connectivity and safety so all modes of transportation can thrive in this urban environment. The study is not considering changes to the main span of the Hoan Bridge and will not impact the core function of the Marquette Interchange.

Study Phase Activities

Public Involvement

Alternative Analysis

Preliminary Design

Environmental
Documentation (NEPA)

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I-794 Lake Interchange Study