The I-94 expansion project was and still is a bad idea for so many reasons: It would worsen the climate crisis. The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., and personal cars account for the biggest chunk of transportation emissions. Expanding highways encourages more people to drive, and this will increase carbon emissions. Thus, going against the goals of the Governor’s Climate Task Force to equitably cut carbon emission
- It would negatively impact public health. When you expand highways it encourages more people to drive, which in turn increases the number of cars on the road. With more cars on the road, it would lead to greater air pollution. The exhaust from cars can cause or worsen asthma, cardiovascular disease, and even dementia. This is more concerning right now with the coronavirus disease attacking millions of Americans’ lungs.
- It would exacerbate racial injustice. There is a lack of reliable transportation options in low-income and minority communities that don’t have access to cars, so they rarely benefit from billion-dollar road projects like this one. The decades-long focus on building and expanding major highways in Wisconsin has actually actively harmed members of these communities. These expansions have shown to be worsening racial and economic segregation, especially in the Milwaukee region. These communities of color have also seen an increase in air pollution. In 2014, the federal government found that the Zoo Interchange construction and expansion in Milwaukee caused “irreparable harm” to minority communities. This I-94 expansion project is no different from the project in 2014 and would continue to exacerbate racial injustice.
- The public does not want this project. According to DOT's own records, more than 80% of all public comments to DOT were against the expansion of the I-94 corridor. People wanted safety improvements and maintaining the infrastructure, instead of expanding from three to four lanes in each direction. And in particular, a majority were against removing one or both of the Hawley Road ramps (required for the lane expansion). It would negatively affect the Hunger Task Force, as well as the residents on narrow 68th St. where semi traffic would reroute from Hawley Rd. in order to service businesses on State St.
- It’s a billion-dollar waste of money that could be better spent. This expansion of just 3.5 miles of I-94 will cost upwards of $1 billion dollars. This money could be better spent on fixing our local roads and bridges, or improving transit infrastructure. This is just one example of investing in a major highway expansion in Southeastern Wisconsin while other parts of the state struggle to maintain their road infrastructure.
- It would not fix congestion or safety. It has been shown that highway expansions often make congestion worse shortly after construction is complete! It is from induced demand — essentially “if you build it, they will come.” Additionally, more narrow highway lanes come with safety concerns. Also, the claimed need for more lanes for increased future traffic volumes ignores the increasing role of working from home and reduced daily commuting.