Interstate 894
{{Short description|Highway in Wisconsin}}
{{for|the freeway in Dallas known as the Airport Freeway|Texas State Highway 183}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox road
| state = WI
| type = I
| route = 894
| map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-lat=42.9956|frame-long=-87.9876|zoom=11|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/Interstate 894}}}}
| map_custom = yes
| map_notes = Map of the Milwaukee area with I-894 highlighted in red
| length_mi = 9.92
| spur_type = I
| spur_of = 94
| direction_a = West
| terminus_a = {{jct|state=WI|I|41|I|94|US|41|US|45}} in West Allis
| junction = {{jct|state=WI|I|43|US|45}} in Greenfield
| direction_b = East
| terminus_b = {{jct|state=WI|I|41|I|43|I|94|US|41}} in Milwaukee
| counties = Milwaukee
| previous_type = WI
| previous_route = 794
| next_type = US
| next_route = 2
}}
Interstate 894 (I-894) is a {{convert|9.92|mi|km|adj=on}} auxiliary Interstate Highway in Milwaukee County in the US state of Wisconsin. The route serves as a bypass of downtown Milwaukee, connecting with I-94 at the Zoo Interchange west of downtown and the Mitchell Interchange south of downtown. The route runs concurrently with three other highways for its duration, following US Highway 45 (US 45) from the Zoo Interchange to Hale Interchange as the Zoo Freeway, where it separates from US 45 to follow I-43 heading east to the Mitchell Interchange as the Airport Freeway. In local traffic reporting and casual conversation, it is known simply as "the bypass" or "894", with "41" also being more recently used, as I-894 is entirely concurrent with I-41/US 41. The east–west portion is also concurrent with I-43.
I-894 is part of what was proposed to be an extensive freeway network around the Milwaukee area. The Zoo Freeway portion was completed from Beloit Road northward in 1963, and the Airport Freeway and remaining segment of the Zoo Freeway were completed in 1966. I-43 was routed concurrently with I-894 in 1987.
Route description
File:Zoo Interchange from the east in Milwaukee.jpg
I-894 begins at the Zoo Interchange in Milwaukee with I-41, I-94, US 41, and US 45. The highway heads south as part of the Zoo Freeway from this interchange running concurrently with I-41/US 41/US 45. Traffic reports generally refer to this section either as 894 northbound (southbound) or the northbound (southbound) Bypass. North of the Zoo Interchange, I-41/US 41/US 45 continues separately as the north part of the Zoo Freeway. I-894 enters West Allis before its first exit after the interchange; this first exit is a junction with State Trunk Highway 59 (WIS 59), known locally as Greenfield Avenue. After the first three exits, I-894 enters Greenfield. Farther south, I-894 has interchanges with National Avenue, Oklahoma Avenue, and Beloit Road. This section of the bypass is usually congested during rush hour because of traffic on I-894 and merging traffic from the Rock Freeway (I-43). This {{convert|4|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} stretch usually has travel times between 10 and 15 minutes during the rush hour (as opposed to five minutes during non-rush-hour times).{{cn|date=May 2022}}
The Interstate turns eastward at the Hale Interchange. US 45 turns westbound at that point to follow I-43 (Rock Freeway) south, and I-43 north follows I-894 to the east. The highway becomes the Airport Freeway after the Hale Interchange. Generally, this section is referred to as I-894 eastbound (westbound), as I-43 was not added until the late 1980s. Westbound I-894 has exits to WIS 24 (Forest Home Avenue) after the junction, though the eastbound highway only exits to a nearby local street. I-894 has two more exits after this and meets WIS 36 (Loomis Road) before reentering Milwaukee. It meets WIS 241 (South 27th Street) at exit 9 before terminating at the Mitchell Interchange with I-94, I-43 and US 41; I-43 continues northbound concurrently with I-94.{{cite map |author = Wisconsin Department of Transportation |author-link = Wisconsin Department of Transportation |date = January 2021 |title = ((Milwaukee Co.)) |url = https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/travel/road/hwy-maps/county-maps/milwaukee.pdf |scale = 1:100,000 |location = Madison |publisher = Wisconsin Department of Transportation |access-date = May 12, 2022 }}
I-894 passes generally through residential areas for its entire length with the exception of a few commercial districts right next to the freeway such as the Southridge Mall district, along with South 27th Street north to Oklahoma Avenue, which contains multiple car dealerships.{{google maps |url = https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=42.961353,-87.935643&hl=en&geocode=FRSGkAIdvKbA-g%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=15&sll=42.96261,-87.941952&sspn=0.012876,0.038624&ie=UTF8&ll=42.98933,-87.984009&spn=0.102965,0.30899&t=h&z=12 |title = Overview Map of I-894 |access-date = January 15, 2009 }} With the approximate distance traveled through downtown via I-94 at {{convert|11.8|mi|km}}, I-894 provides a shorter distance for travelers heading to Chicago or Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.{{google maps |url = https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=43.026267,-88.037653&daddr=I-94+E+to:I-94+E&hl=en&geocode=%3BFRymkAIdCGPC-g%3BFRSIjwId8TbC-g&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=15&via=1&sll=43.022533,-88.041172&sspn=0.012864,0.038624&ie=UTF8&ll=43.003894,-87.949677&spn=0.102941,0.30899&z=12 |title = Route through Milwaukee via I-94, Zoo Interchange to Mitchell Interchange |access-date = January 15, 2009 |link = no }} The Zoo Freeway portion as of 2007 carries at most 170,000 vehicles per day—with the highest values closer to the Zoo Interchange.{{cite map |author = Wisconsin Department of Transportation |year = 2007 |title = Milwaukee County Freeway System 2007 Mainline AADT Only Annual Average Daily Traffic |url = http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/counts/docs/milwaukee/milwaukee-freeway2007-pt1.pdf |scale = Scale not given |location = Madison |publisher = Wisconsin Department of Transportation |sheet = 2 of 3 |access-date = March 7, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100601234729/http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/counts/docs/milwaukee/milwaukee-freeway2007-pt1.pdf |archive-date = June 1, 2010 }} The Airport Freeway carries up to 134,000 vehicles per day.{{cite map |author = Wisconsin Department of Transportation |year = 2007 |title = Milwaukee County Freeway System 2007 Mainline AADT Only Annual Average Daily Traffic |url = http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/counts/docs/milwaukee/milwaukee-freeway2007-pt1.pdf |scale = Scale not given |location = Madison |publisher = Wisconsin Department of Transportation |sheet = 3 of 3 |access-date = March 7, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100601234729/http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/counts/docs/milwaukee/milwaukee-freeway2007-pt1.pdf |archive-date = June 1, 2010 }}
History
File:Interstate Highways 41, 43, and 894.jpg
The freeways that exist today are only a part of what the Milwaukee County Expressway Commission had hoped would be built by 1972.{{cite book |last = Bechtel |first = George |year = 1999 |title = A History of Wisconsin Highway Development 1945–1985 |location = Madison |publisher = Wisconsin Department of Transportation |oclc = 20574213 }}{{page needed|date=May 2022}} The Zoo Freeway between Beloit Road and North Avenue was completed in 1963. At that time, the portion between Beloit Road and the Zoo Interchange was signed as I-894. The remainder of the Zoo Freeway to the Hale Interchange was completed in 1966 when the Airport Freeway was constructed. US 45 was rerouted to the freeway, as was WIS 15 south of National Avenue. (The Rock Freeway had also been constructed west to 108th Street at the time.{{cite web |last = Bessert |first = Chris |date = January 31, 2009 |title = Milwaukee Freeways: Rock Freeway |work = Wisconsin Highways |url = http://www.wisconsinhighways.org/milwaukee/rock.html |access-date = March 7, 2009 }}{{sps|certain=y|date=March 2014}}) The Airport Freeway was proposed to be routed to the also-proposed Stadium Freeway South along Howard Avenue which is about {{convert|0.75|mi|km}} north of the current alignment and named the Howard Avenue Expressway. The Airport Freeway construction was completed in 1966 to fully open I-894. Both freeways were slated to become part of the Interstate Highway System in 1957, prior to their construction. I-43 was signed along the Airport Freeway concurrently with I-894 in 1988 after being officially designated in 1987,{{cite web |last = Bessert |first = Chris |date = January 31, 2009 |title = Highways 400-894 |work = Wisconsin Highways |url = http://www.wisconsinhighways.org/listings/WiscHwys400-894.html#I-894 |access-date = March 7, 2009 }}{{sps|certain=y|date=March 2014}} while I-41 was added to the route on April 7, 2015.{{cite web |author=US 41 Interstate Conversion Team |date=April 9, 2015 |title=US 41 Interstate Conversion: Wisconsin State Line–Green Bay, in Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Outagamie, and Brown Counties |url=http://www.dot.wi.gov/projects/neregion/41/index.htm |publisher=Wisconsin Department of Transportation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412025724/http://www.dot.wi.gov/projects/neregion/41/index.htm |archive-date=April 12, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} A remnant of the proposed Stadium Freeway remains connected to I-894 near WIS 36 as an unbuilt interchange. Its three completed ramps are closed to all traffic, and previously had allowed busses access to a park and ride;{{google maps |url = https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=43.026267,-88.037653&daddr=I-94+E+to:I-94+E&hl=en&geocode=%3BFRymkAIdCGPC-g%3BFRSIjwId8TbC-g&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=15&via=1&sll=43.022533,-88.041172&sspn=0.012864,0.038624&ie=UTF8&ll=42.963348,-87.962251&spn=0.006438,0.019312&t=h&z=16 |title = Greenfield Interchange |access-date = January 15, 2009 |link = no}} the fourth ramp was demolished.{{cite web |last = Bessert |first = Chris |date = January 31, 2009 |title = Milwaukee Freeways: Stadium Freeway |work = Wisconsin Highways |url = http://www.wisconsinhighways.org/milwaukee/stadium.html |access-date = March 7, 2009 }}{{sps|certain=y|date=March 2014}}
{{clear}}
Exit list
{{jcttop|exit
|exit_ref={{cite web |last = King |first = Randy |date = August 16, 2010 |title = Exit Numbers on Interstate 894 |url = http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/road/exits-i894.htm |publisher = Wisconsin Department of Transportation |access-date = July 19, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080421050309/http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/road/exits-i894.htm |archive-date = April 21, 2008 |url-status = dead }}|state=WI|county=Milwaukee|type=highway|length_ref={{cite book |author = Southwest Region Staff |title = State Trunk Highway Log for Southwest Region |date = December 31, 2008 |publisher = Wisconsin Department of Transportation |location = Madison |type = XLS |at = 894E }}}}
{{WIint|exit
|location=Milwaukee
|type=concur
|mile=0.00
|exit=1
|road={{jct|state=WI|I|94|location1=Milwaukee|city2=Madison}}
{{jct|state=WI|I|41|US|41|US|45|dir1=north|dir2=north|dir3=north|city1=Fond du Lac}}
|notes=Northern end of I-41/US 41/US 45 concurrency; Zoo Freeway continues northward as I-41/US 41/US 45; signed as exits 1A (east) and 1B (west); Zoo Interchange
}}
{{WIint|exit
|location=West Allis
|lspan=3
|mile=0.72
|exit=1D
|road={{jct|state=WI|WI|59|location1=Greenfield Avenue}}
|notes=
}}
{{WIint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=1.68
|exit=1E
|road=Lincoln Avenue
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
}}
{{WIint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=1.94
|exit=2A
|road=National Avenue
|notes=Eastbound exit to westbound National Avenue only
}}
{{WIint|exit
|location=Greenfield
|lspan=8
|type=incomplete
|mile=2.68
|exit=2B
|road=Oklahoma Avenue
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
}}
{{WIint|exit
|mile=3.29
|exit=3
|road={{jct|state=WI|CTH|T|name1=Beloit Road}}
|notes=
}}
{{WIint|exit
|type=concur
|mile=4.38
|mile2=4.55
|exit=4
|road={{jct|state=WI|I|43|US|45|dir1=south|dir2=south|city1=Beloit|location2=Chicago}}
|notes=Western end of I-43 concurrency; southern end of US 45 concurrency, I-43 exit 61; Hale Interchange
}}
{{WIint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=5.47
|mile2=5.95
|exit=5A–B
|road=76th–84th Streets
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
}}
{{WIint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=5.75
|exit=5A
|road={{jct|state=WI|WI|24|dir1=west|name1=Forest Home Avenue}}
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance
}}
{{WIint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=5.95
|exit=5B
|road={{jct|state=WI|CTH|U|name1=76th Street}}
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance
}}
{{WIint|exit
|mile=6.97
|exit=7
|road=60th Street
|notes=
}}
{{WIint|exit
|mile=7.97
|exit=8
|road={{jct|state=WI|WI|36|name1=Loomis Road}}
|notes=
}}
{{WIint|exit
|type=incomplete
|location=Milwaukee
|lspan=2
|mile=9.01
|exit=9
|road={{jct|state=WI|WI|241|name1=27th Street}}
|notes=No access from I-94 west or to I-94 east
}}
{{WIint|exit
|type=concur
|mile=9.62
|mile2=9.92
|exit=10
|road={{jct|state=WI|I|43|I|94|dir1=north|dir2=west|city1=Milwaukee}}
{{jct|state=WI|I|41|I|94|US|41|extra=airport|dir1=south|dir2=east|dir3=south|location1=Chicago|location2=Airport}}
|notes=Eastern end of I-41/I-43/US 41 concurrency; signed as exits 10A (north) and 10B (south); Mitchell Interchange
}}
{{Jctbtm|exit|keys=concur,incomplete}}
See also
- {{portal-inline|U.S. Roads}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Attached KML|display=inline,title}}
- [http://www.interstate-guide.com/i-894_wi.html Information about I-894 at interstate-guide.com]
{{3di|94}}