Some big changes are proposed for the Hawley Road interchange as part of the Interstate 94 widening project.
One would involve transforming the interchange into a half interchange, with access to and from the west only.
The other would extend an existing street in West Allis to accommodate the extra traffic expected to be caused by the new configuration.
The project, proposed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, would extend Washington Street in West Allis east to Hawley Road.
Here’s everything we know so far:
Is this project part of the larger Interstate 94 widening project?
Yes, this project is part of the state’s planned Interstate 94 expansion on Milwaukee’s west side, which will cost an estimated $1.74 billion, with the construction work scheduled to run from late 2025 to 2031.
What is the plan for the I-94/Hawley Road interchange?
The current proposal would make it a half interchange, with access to and from the west only.
According to West Allis Mayor Dan Devine, the Washington Street expansion proposal was offered as a part of this project.
Both West Allis City Engineer Melinda Dejewski and Devine stated that because of the two ramps closing, West Allis would lose half of their access points.
Devine said discussions about reworking that section of I-94 started in 2015.
“They were discussing that whole I-94 redo, and then they were talking about closing it completely, or doing the double-decker and then keeping it open, which would have been tons of money,” said Devine.
He said they settled on the half intersection idea, and the state “offered us this like a carrot to enhance the connectivity on 70th Street to pick up the traffic that would normally be using 60th Street.”
What would be involved with the extension of Washington Street in West Allis?
The project will extend Washington Street from 70th Street east to the Summit Place development area in West Allis, where it will join with Hawley Road.
The new road, which would be called West Allis-Chalmers Drive, will follow a curved path behind the site of the former Avalon Rail company near 66th and Washington until it lines with up with the driveway of what used to be Roosevelt School near 932 S. 60th St., according to Dejewski.
The DOT building located at 935 S 60th St. will also be demolished, according to WISDOT. It is currently unknown if another DOT building is planned to replace the building at this site.
No other buildings or local businesses will be impacted by construction, according to West Allis city officials.
The Hank Aaron State Trail, which lies just to the north of where Wisconsin Street would be extended, would not be affected by the project.
When is construction beginning?
Construction is currently slated to begin in early 2025 and last until 2031.
Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: I-94/Hawley Road to become ‘half interchange’ according to DOT plans
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