storyhill.net, Oct. 16, 2006

City officials call for full Zoo Interchange study
WisDOT plans environmental shortcut

Oct. 16 -- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation should conduct a full environmental impact study of the Zoo Interchange reconstruction project, two key city official say.

"That's our expectation," said Patrick Curley, chief of staff to Mayor Tom Barrett.WisDOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi has said the department will conduct an environmental assessment instead, which is a much less thorough and comprehensive review.

Curley cited areas of homes and businesses in the city that could be affected by the project.

"It's just too much property to rush through to accommodate an agenda that's not in the best interests of the City of Milwaukee," Curley said.

"I think strongly they should do a full EIS on this issue," said Ald. Michael Murphy, whose district includes the Zoo Interchange area. “This a complex project that has lasting impact on the county for the next 50 years.”

While conducting an environmental assessment would not preclude a full environmental impact study later, Busalacchi has said the state wants to save time and money on environmental studies -- a clear indication that an in-depth look at the environmental impacts of the project is not planned.

Murphy said traffic has been an issue in the neighborhoods around the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center for some time and there have been proposals to deal with the problem that would not require a full reconstruction of the Interchange.

“There are other plans how they could accomplish it…It’s always been a matter of priorities and money,” he said.