Interstate 794
Encyclopedia
Interstate 794 is 3.75 miles (6 km) Interstate Highway spur route
in Milwaukee County in the U.S.
state of Wisconsin
. It is one of two auxiliary Interstates in the Milwaukee metropolitan area and serves the lakefront, the Port of Milwaukee and connects downtown with the southeastern suburbs of St. Francis
, Cudahy
and South Milwaukee
.
The freeway that is I-794 has been a center of controversy on several occasions. The original Lake Freeway intended to run from northeast of downtown at a connection with the then proposed Park Freeway East to south of the General Mitchell International Airport
. The Hoan Bridge
was the only segment of the freeway to be built before strong opposition to the highway forced its demise. The east–west Freeway was extended east of the Marquette Interchange
to connect with the bridge, hence opening I-794. A failed attempt was made in 1995 by then Mayor John Norquist
to tear down the east–west freeway section due to increasing opposition and traffic volumes, along with the nearing completion of the Lake Parkway (WIS 794).
in downtown Milwaukee
, where Interstate 94
and Interstate 43
meet. It continues eastward just south of the central business district and takes a tight right turn southward at Lincoln Memorial Drive. The route crosses the Milwaukee River
and the Port of Milwaukee as well as the Henry Maier Festival Park
via the Hoan Bridge. The entire route is elevated on a viaduct
on both approaches to the bridge. The interstate designation ends at Exit 3 (Carferry Drive, which provides access to the Lake Express
ferry to Muskegon, Michigan
), the highway continues south as WIS 794, also known as the Lake Parkway to the intersection of Pennsylvania and Edgerton Avenues on Cudahy's west side, paralleling the east side of General Mitchell International Airport
. Traffic volumes on I-794 ranged from 40,400 vehicles per day on the Hoan Bridge to 100,000 on the east–west Freeway.
As part of his campaign against freeways in Milwaukee, Mayor John O. Norquist proposed to tear down of the I-794 portion of the east–west Freeway in 1995 in favor of a surface boulevard. He believed that the freeway was cutting off the Historic Third Ward
from the rest of downtown Milwaukee. His effort failed when opposition to the removal mounted citing increased traffic volumes on the road as well as the new Lake Parkway nearing completion, which after opening, allowed traffic volumes to increase to 111,000 by 2004.
The Marquette Interchange
construction project that was done between 2004 and 2008 rebuilt the viaduct section of I-794 between the interchange and the Milwaukee River.
In February 2010, Milwaukee County Supervisor Patricia Jursik and South Milwaukee
Mayor Tom Zepecki proposed a plan to expand I-794/Lake Parkway to Racine County. The expansion would follow an existing railroad corridor and was intended to relieve traffic along I-94
.
Spur route
A spur route is a short road forming a branch from a longer, more important route . A bypass or beltway is never considered a true spur route as it typically reconnects with the major road...
in Milwaukee County in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. It is one of two auxiliary Interstates in the Milwaukee metropolitan area and serves the lakefront, the Port of Milwaukee and connects downtown with the southeastern suburbs of St. Francis
St. Francis, Wisconsin
St. Francis is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was 8,662. It is the smallest incorporated city in Milwaukee County.-Geography:St. Francis is located at ....
, Cudahy
Cudahy, Wisconsin
Cudahy is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 18,429 at the 2000 census.-History:Originally known as the Buckhorn Settlement, it was renamed in the late 1800s when Patrick Cudahy purchased 700 acres of land in the Town of Lake, two miles from the Milwaukee city...
and South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
South Milwaukee is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 21,256 at the 2000 census.-Geography:South Milwaukee is located at ....
.
The freeway that is I-794 has been a center of controversy on several occasions. The original Lake Freeway intended to run from northeast of downtown at a connection with the then proposed Park Freeway East to south of the General Mitchell International Airport
General Mitchell International Airport
General Mitchell International Airport is a county-owned public airport located five miles south of the central business district of Milwaukee, a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States....
. The Hoan Bridge
Hoan Bridge
The Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge is a tied arch bridge that connects Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the Lake Freeway across the Milwaukee River inlet...
was the only segment of the freeway to be built before strong opposition to the highway forced its demise. The east–west Freeway was extended east of the Marquette Interchange
Marquette Interchange
The Marquette Interchange is a major freeway interchange in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, located near Marquette University where Interstate 43, Interstate 94, Interstate 794, and U.S. Highway 41 meet...
to connect with the bridge, hence opening I-794. A failed attempt was made in 1995 by then Mayor John Norquist
John Norquist
John Olof Norquist is an American politician and 37th mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served as mayor from 1988 until he left office in 2004 to lead the Congress for the New Urbanism.-Personal background:...
to tear down the east–west freeway section due to increasing opposition and traffic volumes, along with the nearing completion of the Lake Parkway (WIS 794).
Route description
I-794 begins at the Marquette InterchangeMarquette Interchange
The Marquette Interchange is a major freeway interchange in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, located near Marquette University where Interstate 43, Interstate 94, Interstate 794, and U.S. Highway 41 meet...
in downtown Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, where Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
and Interstate 43
Interstate 43
Interstate 43 is a intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the U.S. state of Wisconsin, connecting Interstate 39 and Interstate 90 in Beloit with Milwaukee and U.S. Route 41 and U.S. Route 141 in Green Bay. I-43 is the 5th longest intrastate Interstate Highway of the Interstate...
meet. It continues eastward just south of the central business district and takes a tight right turn southward at Lincoln Memorial Drive. The route crosses the Milwaukee River
Milwaukee River
The Milwaukee River is a river in the state of Wisconsin. It is about long.- Description :The river begins in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin and flows south past Grafton to downtown Milwaukee, where it empties into Lake Michigan...
and the Port of Milwaukee as well as the Henry Maier Festival Park
Henry Maier Festival Park
The Henry W. Maier Festival Park, also known either as the Henry Maier Festival Grounds or as the Summerfest Grounds, is a festival park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States. The Park is named for Henry Maier, Milwaukee's longest-serving mayor....
via the Hoan Bridge. The entire route is elevated on a viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
on both approaches to the bridge. The interstate designation ends at Exit 3 (Carferry Drive, which provides access to the Lake Express
Lake Express
Lake Express is a high-speed auto and passenger ferry that is in service on a route across Lake Michigan. Lake Express links the cities of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Muskegon, Michigan from late spring to the fall of each year.- Background :...
ferry to Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,401. The city is the county seat of Muskegon County...
), the highway continues south as WIS 794, also known as the Lake Parkway to the intersection of Pennsylvania and Edgerton Avenues on Cudahy's west side, paralleling the east side of General Mitchell International Airport
General Mitchell International Airport
General Mitchell International Airport is a county-owned public airport located five miles south of the central business district of Milwaukee, a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States....
. Traffic volumes on I-794 ranged from 40,400 vehicles per day on the Hoan Bridge to 100,000 on the east–west Freeway.
History
The original plans for the Lake Freeway called for it begin at a connection to the proposed Park East Freeway north of its current point, then to continue from the Downtown Milwaukee area to Mitchell Airport. However, these were not realized at the freeway's original construction, leaving it unfinished for many years. This had led the Hoan Bridge to be called "The Bridge to Nowhere" as it sat with both of its end unconnected to any road for three years. This unfinished construction was used as the site of the car chase scene in the movie The Blues Brothers.As part of his campaign against freeways in Milwaukee, Mayor John O. Norquist proposed to tear down of the I-794 portion of the east–west Freeway in 1995 in favor of a surface boulevard. He believed that the freeway was cutting off the Historic Third Ward
Historic Third Ward
The Historic Third Ward is a historic warehouse district located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This Milwaukee neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the Third Ward is home to over 450 businesses and maintains a strong position within the retail and...
from the rest of downtown Milwaukee. His effort failed when opposition to the removal mounted citing increased traffic volumes on the road as well as the new Lake Parkway nearing completion, which after opening, allowed traffic volumes to increase to 111,000 by 2004.
The Marquette Interchange
Marquette Interchange
The Marquette Interchange is a major freeway interchange in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, located near Marquette University where Interstate 43, Interstate 94, Interstate 794, and U.S. Highway 41 meet...
construction project that was done between 2004 and 2008 rebuilt the viaduct section of I-794 between the interchange and the Milwaukee River.
In February 2010, Milwaukee County Supervisor Patricia Jursik and South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
South Milwaukee is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 21,256 at the 2000 census.-Geography:South Milwaukee is located at ....
Mayor Tom Zepecki proposed a plan to expand I-794/Lake Parkway to Racine County. The expansion would follow an existing railroad corridor and was intended to relieve traffic along I-94
Interstate 94 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, Interstate 94 runs east–west through the western, central and southeastern portions of the state.-Route description:A total of of Interstate 94 lie in Wisconsin....
.
Exit list
External links
- east–west Freeway at Wisconsin Highways
- Lake Freeway at Wisconsin Highways
- Hoan Bridge: 2000 from Wisconsin Highways