Exploring
Possibilities Together

WisDOT has a robust public involvement program working closely with local governments, stakeholders and the public on the Lake Interchange Study. Explore all the ways public involvement is vital in the development of this study.

Public Involvement In Action

Stakeholder and Business Advisory Committee meeting, April 2024

A group of people in the Milwaukee Marriott ballroom on August 1, 2023 for the public involvement meeting. Some individuals are writing down their comments while standing at high top tables.

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

A group of people in the Milwaukee Marriott ballroom on August 1, 2023 for the public involvement meeting. Some individuals are writing down their comments while standing at high top tables.

August 2023 Public Involvement Meetings

A group of people in the cafeteria of St. Thomas More High School on August 2, 2023 for the public involvement meeting. Individuals are viewing proposed design concepts displayed on roll plots across a long table.

Business Advisory Committee meeting, June 2023

A group of stakeholders sitting at a table discussing a design concept shown on a roll plot during a business advisory committee meeting.

Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting, June 2023

A group of stakeholders sitting at a table discussing a design concept shown on a roll plot during a stakeholder advisory committee meeting.

WisDOT project team members and City of Milwaukee representatives reviewing design concepts displayed on roll plots in a meeting.

Study Concept Review Meeting with City of Milwaukee representatives, April 2023

Meeting with WisDOT Secretary Thompson, Milwaukee Mayor Johnson, City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County representatives, February 2023

WisDOT project team speaking to Milwaukee Mayor Johnson and WisDOT Secretary Thompson while walking under I-794 during a site visit.

Public Meetings

A series of public meetings will be held throughout the Lake Interchange Study to provide information and gather public feedback. Later this year, WisDOT will host public involvement meetings to share additional details of the alternatives and provide detailed findings on traffic, multimodal accommodations and other analyses.

WisDOT hosted a public update meeting on May 29, 2025. The meeting was an opportunity for the public to learn the latest on the study, understand the process, preview the defined alternatives and engage with WisDOT staff.

Meeting Materials public meeting summary

WisDOT hosted the first set of open house style public involvement meetings on August 1 and August 2, 2023. The meetings were an opportunity for the public to understand the study process, learn about the project’s draft purpose and need, and provide input on preliminary design concepts. Materials and exhibits shown at the meetings are available for the public to view.

Both meetings had high public participation and we appreciate the great feedback through one-on-one conversations, interactive engagement activity boards and public meeting comment forms.

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Meeting Materials public meeting summary

Past Meetings

May 2025

public update meeting

WisDOT hosted the first set of open house style public involvement meetings on August 1 and August 2, 2023. The meetings were an opportunity for the public to understand the study process, learn about the project’s draft purpose and need, and provide input on preliminary design concepts. Materials and exhibits shown at the meetings are available for the public to view.

Both meetings had high public participation and we appreciate the great feedback through one-on-one conversations, interactive engagement activity boards and public meeting comment forms.

Meeting Materials public meeting summary

August 2023

public update meeting

WisDOT hosted the first set of open house style public involvement meetings on August 1 and August 2, 2023. The meetings were an opportunity for the public to understand the study process, learn about the project’s draft purpose and need, and provide input on preliminary design concepts. Materials and exhibits shown at the meetings are available for the public to view.

Both meetings had high public participation and we appreciate the great feedback through one-on-one conversations, interactive engagement activity boards and public meeting comment forms.

Meeting Materials public meeting summary

Advisory Committees

The WisDOT project team presenting an overview of the I-794 Lake Interchange Study and design concepts in front of a group of stakeholders at an Advisory Committee Meeting.

WisDOT has formed Stakeholder and Business Advisory Committees as another way to engage with a variety of people to gather a wide range of perspectives and voices. Representatives of the Stakeholder and Business Advisory Committees include city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Business Improvement Districts, regional agencies, large employers, multi-tenant office buildings, Chambers of Commerce, hospitality, tourism and entertainment industry, neighborhood associations, community centers, non-profits and educational institutions.

The committee members provide feedback to WisDOT throughout the study process, provide guidance on engagement and share information about the project with their colleagues, community and constituents. WisDOT regularly meets with these key partners as the study advances.

WisDOT conducted a series of interviews with local stakeholders to gather their perspectives regarding their involvement in the Study, the significance of public engagement and feedback, and the corridor's importance to both the community and the region. View the first stakeholder spotlight below.

Local Coordination

WisDOT is closely coordinating with the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to identify opportunities to improve the transportation network and develop solutions for the corridor that will increase community connectivity and enhance activation.

WisDOT has met with numerous local government agency representatives, elected officials and key stakeholders to gather initial feedback on the existing conditions of the Lake Interchange and understand the needs and priorities of the study corridor, which led to the development of the design concepts. During the Concept Development phase, WisDOT engaged with local municipal representatives to review preliminary analyses and stakeholder feedback. This collaboration supported the study’s advancement to the Alternatives Definition phase, where WisDOT identified alternatives and defined their elements. The alternatives include options from each group: No Build, Replace in Kind, Freeway Removal and Freeway Improvement.

Local coordination with municipal representatives, local elected officials and regional transportation agencies will be ongoing throughout the study.

WisDOT project team members and City of Milwaukee representatives reviewing design concepts displayed on roll plots in a meeting.