Number
071114
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN, D'AMATO, DONOVAN, MURPHY, WADE AND HAMILTON
Title
Resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for a new strategic approach to transportation investments in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee’s opposition to the proposed $1.9-billion reconstruction and expansion of Interstate 94 from the Illinois-Wisconsin state line to the Mitchell Interchange. It also expresses the City’s support for a new strategic approach to transportation investments in Southeastern Wisconsin that includes the reconstruction and modernization of Interstate 94 between the Mitchell Interchange and the Illinois-Wisconsin state line using the highway’s current 6-lane configuration and using the resulting cost savings to:
a. Develop the 33-mile Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail line between the Kenosha Metra station and Downtown Milwaukee without requiring local governments to finance the local share of capital and operating costs; and
b. Develop high-speed intercity passenger rail service along the existing Amtrak line between Chicago and Milwaukee, with an extension westward to Madison.
Body
Whereas, On November 15, 2007, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (“WisDOT”) revealed its preferred plan for reconstruction and expansion of the 35-mile segment of Interstate 94 from the Illinois-Wisconsin state line to the Mitchell Interchange; and
Whereas, This plan calls for increasing the number of freeway lanes from 6 to 8 and creating additional interchanges; and
Whereas, This expansion will result in the loss of valuable farmland and wetlands and encourage urban sprawl, especially around the reconstructed and new interchanges; and
Whereas, The expansion of this highway will promote motor vehicle use and dependence, thereby increasing air pollution and reliance on foreign oil supplies and leaving the economy and residents of the region at the mercy of g...
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