Contact: Ryan Amundson
Sr. Director of Communications, MMAC
(414) 287-4152
July 8, 2026 (MILWAUKEE) – The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) supports Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s recommendation to advance the Freeway Improvement (hybrid) option as the preferred path forward for the I-794 Lake Interchange.
Under this option, the elevated freeway would be reconstructed without capacity expansion, consolidating freeway access ramps, improving connectivity to surface streets and providing complete street accommodations. This approach provides several benefits, including minimal changes to traffic patterns, an increase in developable land and an opportunity to build the tax base.
“The business community has been clear: Milwaukee needs infrastructure that keeps people and commerce moving,” said MMAC President and CEO Dale Kooyenga. “The mayor’s recommendation addresses a critical transportation need, supports future economic growth and minimizes disruption for residents and businesses alike.”
Launched in 2022, the I-794 Lake Interchange Study focuses on a 1.5-mile section of aging infrastructure between the Marquette Interchange and the Hoan Bridge. According to WisDOT, the goal of the project is to improve safety and operations within the study corridor while enhancing community connectivity and compatibility with local plans and development.
“Livability and economic growth go hand in hand,” said Kooyenga. “Whether it’s getting to work or enjoying everything Milwaukee has to offer, people deserve infrastructure that is safe, reliable and built for the future.”
In 2027, the four alternatives outlined by WisDOT will undergo environmental review by the Environmental Protection Agency, and one alternative will be selected. The final design and construction of the I-794 Lake Interchange infrastructure is expected to begin in 2030.
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The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) serves more than 2,000 businesses and hundreds of thousands of their employees throughout greater Milwaukee. It supports a globally competitive region to sustain high-value jobs, fostering a vibrant quality of life for all.
