As the Dept. of Transportation mulls over options for the future of I-794, Milwaukee mayor Cavalier Johnson announced his recommendation on Wednesday. Johnson suggested a portion of elevated highway be reworked, not replaced.
The DOT options include replacing the elevated highway in-kind, replacing the elevated highway with less on/off ramps, or removing the elevated highway and replacing with city streets.
The mayor’s recommendation is not binding, but would indicate where the city leader stands on the matter.
If the elevated highway is removed, WTMJ’s Vince Vitrano asked what the likelihood is the land gets developed.
“There are already pieces of land (even a block away) that remain vacant,” he said on WTMJ’s Wis. Morning News. “How do we know this land will yield all of this development?”
Vitrano cited specific downtown sites that remain undeveloped.
A big argument for the demolition of 794 is the opportunity for real estate development.
— 620 WTMJ (@620wtmj) July 8, 2026
However, there's a problem with that… pic.twitter.com/Q2U8eHS0rd
Wis. Morning News can be heard Mon thru Fri 6a-10a on 620 WTMJ.
