TPC approves studies on improvements for key highway corridors including I-94 in Waukesha County

The Wisconsin Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) has approved the advancement of studies aimed at improving safety and operations on two major highway corridors: US 53 in Eau Claire and I-94 in Waukesha County. The decision was made during a meeting held on December 10, 2025.

The study for US 53 will focus on addressing issues caused by high traffic volumes and crash rates above the state average. For I-94, the section between Willow Glen Road and the I-41/I-894 Zoo Interchange will be examined due to heavy commuter use, limited freeway capacity, and infrastructure that is showing signs of age.

The Waukesha County Business Alliance and the I-94 Waukesha Coalition expressed support for the TPC’s move to advance the I-94 project for further study. In a statement, they said, "This corridor serves as an economic backbone for Wisconsin, supporting freight movement, workforce access, and long-term regional competitiveness. Moving this study forward is a critical step toward ensuring the corridor can meet both current and future demand."

They also noted ongoing concerns from local employers, commuters, and community leaders about congestion and safety challenges on this stretch of highway. According to their statement: "We consistently hear from employers, commuters, and community leaders that congestion and safety challenges along this stretch of I-94 constrain economic growth and strain public safety resources. Advancing this study allows the state to fully evaluate the corridor’s needs through a transparent, data-driven process. The Alliance and the I-94 Coalition look forward to continued engagement with WisDOT, legislators, local governments, and community stakeholders to keep this project a priority. A modern, reliable I-94 corridor is essential to supporting job growth and maintaining Wisconsin’s position as a competitive, connected region."