Stadium Freeway (Wisconsin) Explained

State:	WI
Stadium Freeway
Map Custom:	yes
Map Notes:	Stadium Freeway highlighted in red
Direction A:	South
Terminus A:	in West Milwaukee
Junction:	in Milwaukee
Direction B:	North
Terminus B:	Lisbon Avenue

The Stadium Freeway (also known as Miller Park Way) is a six-lane divided highway traveling south to north in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This freeway was the first road of its kind built in Milwaukee County. It is designated as Wisconsin Highway 175 (WI 175) along its northern stretch from WIS 59, past Interstate 94 (I-94) to Lisbon Avenue.

The southern portion from I-94 to National Avenue was designated as unsigned WIS 341 from August 1999 to August 2015, and is called Miller Park Way. The road travels adjacent to the east side of American Family Field, home of Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers.

History

This freeway is the stump of what was to be a much larger freeway in Milwaukee. The Stadium Freeway, originally called the South 44th Street Expressway, was intended to extend much farther to the north and south than it currently does:

• The Stadium Freeway was to continue northward from its present terminus at Lisbon Avenue, where it was to intersect with the proposed Park West Freeway. It was to continue northward, intersecting with the proposed Bay and Fond du Lac freeways, and continuing northward to the city of Port Washington.
• The Stadium Freeway was to continue southward from its present terminus at National Avenue, and terminate at I-43/I-894. In fact, the interchange that was supposed to connect the Stadium Freeway to the Airport Freeway (I-43/I-894) was built entirely as the Greenfield Interchange. The interchange was renovated by having one of the ramps (eastbound I-894/I-43 to northbound Stadium Freeway) removed, and the other ramps connected to a park and ride.^[1] In 2012, during the reconstruction of the Mitchell Interchange and the WIS 241/South 27th Street exit, another ramp (southbound Stadium Freeway to westbound I-894/I-43) was removed. This currently leaves only two ramps remaining to the original interchange.
• This highway once carried U.S. Route 41 (US 41) in Wisconsin, but became WIS 175 when US 41 was moved to its current alignment with I-41 and the Zoo Freeway.

Future

The Reimagining WIS 175 Study is a collaborative effort led by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), in conjunction with Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee, aimed at rethinking the future of the Stadium Freeway. This study focuses on the segment between Wisconsin Avenue and Lisbon Avenue, addressing challenges and enhancing connectivity within Milwaukee's communities. The study is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024.

The study aims to evaluate alternatives for the corridor, accommodating various transportation modes while enhancing connectivity and promoting socio-economic vitality. Additionally, it seeks to consider aspects such as green spaces, land use, and future development to ensure a comprehensive approach to the reimagining of WIS 175.^[2]

Further reading

• News: 2022-05-05 . Revisioning Highway 175 for good of neighborhood, not speeding cars in the heart of Milwaukee . 2022-05-05 . WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR . en.
• News: Bentley . Drake . Wisconsin DOT officials say that Highway 175 by Brewers stadium needs to be rebuilt, and it could become a boulevard. . 2022-05-05 . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . en-US.
• News: Bentley . Drake . Should Stadium Freeway North be converted into an at-grade boulevard? . 2022-05-05 . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . en-US.
• News: 2021-09-15 . Fix At Six: Report Spells Out Alternatives For I-94 East-West Freeway Reconstruction In Milwaukee . 2022-05-05 . WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR . en.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Milwaukee County Freeways: Stadium Freeway . Christopher J. . Bessert . Wisconsin Highways . January 31, 2009 . May 3, 2010.
2. Web site: Wisconsin Department of Transportation Reimagining WIS 175 Study – Milwaukee County . 2024-04-16 . wisconsindot.gov.