Title
Resolution in support of the Double Deck freeway alternative for the I-94 East-West Corridor if the at-grade alternatives cannot accommodate full access to Hawley Road/60th Street.
Body
WHEREAS, on June 21, 2006 the Advisory Committee on Regional Transportation System Planning, of which the City of West Allis is a member, adopted a 2035 regional transportation plan, being a part of the master plan for the physical development of the Region and set forth in SEWRPC Planning Report No. 49, A Regional Transportation System Plan for Southeastern Wisconsin; which included provision for access ramps on I-94 to Hawley Road/60th Street as they exist today; and
WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate the existing I-94 service interchanges and the indirect or cumulative effects of changes in land use and development patterns that may occur farther from the I-94 corridor and later in time after reconstruction of the I-94 East-West Corridor depending on which alternative is chosen; and
WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation is contemplating the construction of at least one alternative which does not include access ramps to Hawley Road/ 60th Street and which may have a dramatic effect on the land use and development patterns in the City of West Allis; and
WHEREAS, the existing I-94 service interchange at Hawley Road/60th Street provides necessary access to a number of manufacturing, office and retail businesses that are critical to the economic success of the City of West Allis; and
WHEREAS, the City of West Allis would be the most impacted by the closure or partial closure of the Hawley Road 60th Street interchange which serves important redevelopment areas and employment generators for the City and serves as a gateway to the City. Freeway proximity is a key selling point to prospective employers and the possibility of closing the Hawley road interchange would stall the City's efforts to attract additional businesses and could cause some existing employers to leave West Allis; and
WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation is tentatively planning to reconstruct the I-94 freeway from 70th Street to 25th Street in the year 2019;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED By the Common Council of the City of West Allis that the City supports construction of the Double Deck freeway alternative for the I-94 East-West Corridor if the at-grade alternatives cannot accommodate full access to Hawley Road/60th Street;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Common Council opposes any I-94 alternatives that create more traffic, congestion or accidents on City streets or that involve widening or eliminating parking or other impacts to City streets.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be provided to Governor Walker, all West Allis State Assembly and State Senator members, as well as the Secretary of Transportation and other officials at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.