A $1.2 billion proposal to expand Interstate 94 near Milwaukee’s American Family Field has sparked controversy. While state officials argue it will improve safety and the economy, opponents, including the Wisconsin Sierra Club, contend it disproportionately harms Black and Hispanic neighborhoods.
Dr. Kirk Harris, a UW-Milwaukee urban planning professor, explains that highway projects have historically reinforced segregation and economic inequality by prioritizing roadways over public transportation. He advocates for intentional reinvestment in housing, transit, and community development to address systemic inequities. Harris also stresses the need for meaningful public engagement and democratizing planning to create equitable urban spaces, an initiative he intends to lead through a new center at the university.
Read the full story on Wisconsin Public Radio.