The Milwaukee County Board recently passed a resolution to study the extension of the Lake Parkway (I-794) south to Ryan Road in Oak Creek.
The resolution begins the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) process necessary for extending the parkway.
The lead sponsor of the board resolution is Supervisor Pat Jursik, who represents the south shore area and has been one of the strongest opponents of any discussion about replacing the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee.
The Lake Parkway, which currently ends at Pennsylvania Avenue just south of Layton Avenue in Cudahy, connects to I-94 in downtown Milwaukee via the Hoan Bridge. Jursik and other Hoan Bridge supporters, including many in the south shore area, argue that it is a vital economic lifeline for that area.
“The 794 highway is our gateway to Milwaukee and beyond,” Jursik said. “We must do everything we can to enhance the seamless transport of people and goods through this corridor. We have seen significant population growth in our south shore communities, and the Lake Parkway provides direct access to Cudahy at Pennsylvania Avenue, St. Francis at Howard Avenue, Milwaukee at Oklahoma Avenue and Carferry Drive and all three cities on Layton Avenue. The city of Oak Creek, General Mitchell International Airport, the Port of Milwaukee and major employers in the south shore all stand to benefit from enhancing this corridor.”
However, it could be difficult to find funding for the project. The $1.9 billion reconstruction and expansion of I-94 from Milwaukee to the Illinois state line, which is under construction, and the future $2.3 billion reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange will leave little funds available for an extension of the Lake Parkway.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation estimates that it will cost about $240 million to make repairs to the Hoan Bridge. Some officials say alternatives to those repairs, such as replacing the bridge and lowering the Parkway to an at-grade boulevard, should be explored.
However, Jursik says the bridge should be maintained, and the repairs should have been done as part of the $810 million Marquette Interchange reconstruction.
“The original Marquette Interchange work, budgeted at $1.3 billion, would have included rebuilding ramps leading to the Hoan, but they were removed from the budget,” she said. “My fear is that the residents of the south shore will pay the price for this irresponsible planning.”
In a letter to Jursik, Gov. Jim Doyle said he is not sure if the next state budget will include funds to repair the Hoan Bridge.
“I know you would like to see engineering studies begin, and funding for a re-decking project included in the next biennial budget,” Doyle’s letter said. “It is too early to know whether or not this project will be included in the next budget.”
