Citywide project · State freeway project
I-94 Rebuild
Under construction, late 2025 to 2033
The project as a whole
Under construction now.
Latest
The map
Map key
- Alder district borders
Tap any line to see that spot in Google Street View.
The story
About 3.5 miles of Interstate 94, from 70th Street to 16th Street, is being rebuilt. That stretch includes the Stadium Interchange near American Family Field. The freeway opened in 1961 and 1962, and WisDOT says its crash rates run up to two to three times the state average.
The rebuilt freeway will have four lanes in each direction instead of three. Left-side exits will be removed and the Stadium Interchange redesigned. Construction began in late 2025 and is scheduled to finish in 2033.
The plan was first approved in 2016, dropped in 2017 for lack of money, and approved again in 2024. Four groups sued in August 2024, arguing that other options were not fairly considered. The lawsuit was still open in summer 2026.
Timeline
- 2016 · DonePlan first approved
- 2017 · DoneDropped for lack of money
- 2024 · DoneApproved again
- 2025 to 2033 · UnderwayConstruction
- 2033 · PlannedScheduled finish
- Years
- Late 2025 to 2033
The money
About $1.85 billion
- about $1.85 billion: Total project cost, up from $1.78 billion; about $260 million spent so farPaid by: state and federal highway money (split not published). Source, August 13, 2026 ↗
- nearly $5 million: Transit mitigation: MCTS service, paratransit, operators, marketing, and design of a new BRT station (2025 to 2026)Paid by: state (WisDOT, part of the I-94 program). Source, November 4, 2026 ↗
- $200,000: CONNECT 1 station design, construction mitigationPaid by: state (WisDOT). Source, November 4, 2026 ↗
WisDOT's project website gives no total. This figure comes from a WisDOT report to the state's Transportation Projects Commission, as reported by Urban Milwaukee on August 13, 2026. The same report says the work finishes in 2033 only if the state speeds up funding; otherwise in December 2035.
Designs, renderings, and plans
What it could look like, from the agencies’ own drawings, renderings, and meeting boards. Each link opens their file.
- RenderingStadium Interchange rendering A bird's-eye picture of the redesigned Stadium Interchange near American Family Field.WisDOT, Undated (posted December 2024 or later)
- Design drawingStadium Interchange design A drawing of the new Stadium Interchange layout.WisDOT
- Design drawingSection 106 plan: National Avenue at Brewers Boulevard Planned changes near the historic Soldiers Home grounds at National Avenue.WisDOT, August 2024
- MapProject map An interactive map of the 3.5-mile project from 70th Street to 16th Street.WisDOT, Current
- MapConstruction staging map Which parts of the freeway are being built in which year.WisDOT, Current
- Study or reportEnvironmental documents since 2020 (Supplemental EIS and Record of Decision) The federal environmental review, including the alternatives that were studied and why one was picked.WisDOT / FHWA, Record of Decision March 2024
- Project pageResources page All project documents, including the project history and noise analysis.WisDOT, Checked November 4, 2026
Explained on Blueprints
In the news
Recent stories from local news sites, public radio and TV, and advocacy groups (labeled), found through Google News and updated every morning. Headlines link to the outlet.
Who decides, and how to have a say
The State of Wisconsin. WisDOT plans and builds state freeways, the Legislature and governor set its budget, and the Federal Highway Administration must approve the plan and pays much of the cost. The city and county have a say on local streets and bridges that connect to it.
Sources, checked October 31, 2026: WisDOT I-94 East-West project site (extent, timeline, crash rates, design changes); WisDOT, federal approval history; Urban Milwaukee, October 15, 2025 (cost); WPR, August 20, 2024 (lawsuit, six lanes to eight); Midwest Environmental Advocates case page, updated July 30, 2026. Street View imagery © Google.