Independent group seeks public input on I-794 reconstruction proposal

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The topic of what to do with Interstate 794 is front and center. An independent group wants your input as consideration is being made to potentially tear it down.

The DOT's already got a study underway for what could be a major overhaul of 794. Some say the highway that's been carrying cars over the lake for 50 years is actually doing the city a disservice.

"So yes, I think we're a voice for an alternative vision and we're trying to ensure that a boulevard option gets a fair shot," said Gregg May, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin Transportation policy director.

Some call 794 the freeway to nowhere. Grassroots activists think the freeway built in the 1970s to help connect the suburbs to downtown Milwaukee should be turned into an at-grade boulevard, like this rendering they put together.

"And so, we just decided to jump in and see if we could get the ball rolling to help people kind of reimagine what this downtown space could be," said May.

The DOT's already considering a multi-million-dollar facelift for 794. A study that started in August could be completed in January.

"And $300,000,000 is a huge deal, and this highway will be here for another 40 or 50 years if we spend that money," said May.

Rethink 794 claims a boulevard would open 32.5 acres to $1.5 billion in business opportunities, increasing the tax base.

"So, you know, exploring urban highways being taken down and being turned into boulevards is something that's happening across the country," said May.

We stopped random people in the Third Ward to get their take.

"It's already congested, but that would be a little bit more congestion. It sounds okay, but then like you said, you have to see how would it actually work," said Linda Hassell, who works downtown.

"Construction is just gonna make it worse anyway, and the streets already crowded. And some people may even lose business because if they tearing this up, how are they gonna get around to the other businesses?" said Felicia Hobbs, who also works downtown.

"So if you bringing a highway down and bringing a bridge down, yeah, that's gonna make problems," said Hassell.

Rethink 794 is holding a webinar Wednesday Oct. 19, open to the public and ready to explain what a boulevard could do for the city. 

The meeting starts at noon. You can find the link here.