'I feel a little bit nervous': Big changes could be coming to I-794 in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Big changes could be coming to I-794 in Milwaukee.
With talks of reconstructing the layout to getting rid of the freeway, residents have strong feelings about what ideas should move forward.
"This isn’t about just moving cars, this is about creating an entirely new neighborhood," said Montavius Jones with the Rethink 794 group.
"We do it every day, sit in traffic, and I know the convenience of this highway right here and park freeway, they usually move traffic for me," said Romie Bolden, a Milwaukee resident.
There were strong and mixed opinions from Milwaukee residents as the discussion of the fate of the I-794 interchange continued at a public comment meeting Tuesday night.
"All the alternatives are on the table," said David Pittman, the project manager with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. "No decisions have been made yet."
Right now, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has their proposal narrowed down to four groups to address the deteriorating infrastructure.
Those choices are replacing and fixing current infrastructure, removing the freeway, improving the freeway with new designs, or not building.
Hundreds of residents showed up asking questions, many in support of removing the freeway for new opportunities.
"There are so many redevelopment opportunities for housing, office, retail, restaurant, public space, that are just sitting unused under this highway right now," said Jones.
With more than 70,000 vehicles traveling on the I-794 Lake Interchange daily, others are pushing for the current structure to be fixed or improved upon.
"They are not thinking about the metropolitan area, you know, people live north, south, whatever, they don’t care," said Bolden. "Only thing they think about is themselves."
In the meantime, people are anxiously waiting to see which proposal could come to life.
"I feel a little bit nervous," said Will Ohm, a Milwaukee resident.
It's a decision that's not expected until late next year.
There is another public comment session Wednesday, Nov. 5, at St. Thomas More High School from 4-7 p.m.