Groups Sue Over Milwaukee’s Zoo Interchange

Several groups are suing state and federal transportation officials over the planned $1.7 billion re-do of the Zoo Interchange in Milwaukee County.

Gov. Scott Walker campaigned in 2010 on speeding up work on the zoo interchange, located where I-94 and US-45 meet in western Milwaukee County. The American Civil Liberties Union and Midwest Environmental Advocates say the state DOT failed to consider mass transit options that would help racial minorities in Milwaukee County.

Chris Ahmuty heads the ACLU of Wisconsin. He says the Federal Highway Administration is also being sued in the federal lawsuit for approving the state’s plan. Ahmuty wants preliminary work to stop on the interchange until environmental justice and civil rights impacts are considered. The state DOT declines comment on the new lawsuit. But Craig Thompson of the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin says work on the interchange should not be delayed.

Thompson says the Zoo Interchange is the busiest one in the state, and needs to be redone to improve safety and help local businesses and the Medical College of Wisconsin.