How The I-94 East-West Project Will Impact Housing & The Suburban Balance

When the new year starts ticking toward November 2025, Metro Milwaukee families whose heads of household commute into downtown—or who live in the western suburbs and drive eastward—face a transportation and housing inflection point. At the heart of this is the substantial refurbishment effort for Interstate 94 (I-94) through Milwaukee: the I‑94 East‑West Project.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is set to begin a major reconstruction of I-94 between 70th Street and 16th Street in Milwaukee County. 

• The section is approximately 3.5 miles of the corridor, from roughly 70th Street on the west side toward downtown. 
• The “West Leg Segment” between 70th and Zablocki/16th is scheduled to start preliminary work Oct. 27, with major closures the week of Nov.3.
• The full reconstruction will cost in the realm of $1.74 billion for the corridor; early contracts alone total more than $181 million.
• Anticipated impacts include long-term lane closures (one lane each direction initially), ramp closures (e.g., the Hawley Road interchange, 68th Street/70th entrance ramps) and other detours.
• Construction is expected to continue through 2028 for the West Leg, and full completion of the entire corridor project by 2033. 

In short: the I-94 East-West project is now moving from planning/design into full-scale disruption, and will significantly affect commuter traffic coming into downtown Milwaukee.

For many families living in the western suburbs and commuting into downtown Milwaukee for work, this project raises red flags.

• Prior to the major closures, I-94 is already one of the busiest corridors in southeastern Wisconsin, carrying approximately 158,000-178,000 vehicles per day through the corridor.
• During construction, commuters can expect longer delays, detours onto surface routes, and uncertain travel times especially during peak rush hours.

Given the incoming construction:

• Pre-construction baseline: Let’s assume a commuter from Brookfield to downtown takes ~20–25 minutes in moderate traffic (rush hour might be 25–30 minutes)
• With construction delays: It would be reasonable to expect 30-50% longer travel times due to lane restrictions and slower speeds, meaning 30-45 minutes or more each way.
• For Hartland (which lies further north and west), if a baseline commute under ideal conditions is ~30 minutes, construction could push it into the 40-60 minute range depending on severity.

In other words, families who currently enjoy a “moderate” commute may find their daily drive meaningfully worse for the next several years.

When a major commuter route like I-94 undergoes prolonged construction and increased delay risk, housing markets often respond. Here’s how:

1. Demand pull toward less-impacted communities

Communities north & south of downtown where freeway access is less disrupted will become more attractive. For example: 

• In the North Shore (cities like Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, or Mequon) the commute into downtown can be as little as ~8 minutes (depending on route/time). 
• Compared to western suburbs impacted by I-94 work, the contrast is stark: less delay risk, more predictable travel. This puts upward pressure on housing prices in those communities. 

2. “West-of-downtown” suburbs may see slower growth or even downward pressure

Since the I-94 corridor west of downtown is where the reconstruction is happening, suburbs located to the west or south-west may see less demand — as some buyers will discount long commutes into downtown during the construction window. Families with a working head of household downtown may consciously avoid those communities for the next few years. 

3. Resale Timing Matters

For homeowners in impacted regions, resale value may stagnate for a period or grow more slowly relative to surging North Shore markets. Conversely, if someone currently lives in a “west” suburb and believes they can wait out the construction, they may still fare well, but they must factor in time delay, stress, and perhaps temporary commute pain.

4. Long-term upside for structural improvements

Yes - in 5-10 years when the I-94 East-West project is done, the corridor will be improved: wider lanes, modern interchanges, improved safety. That lifts value again. But for the next 3-8 years (depending on segment) the pain is real, and housing decisions should reflect that.

If you are a family where the head of household works downtown Milwaukee, consider:

• Avoid settling (or expanding housing budget) in the western I-94 corridor if your commute relies on that segment. Forecast your commute taking at least 30-45 minutes each way during the construction years.
• Favor North Shore suburbs where commutes remain shorter and less risk of major detour impact. The premium you pay may well be worth it given lower travel time stress and higher resale demand.
• If you already live in the western zone and like your community, weigh the cost of commute delays (time, fuel, wear & tear) vs. cost savings on housing. It may still make sense to stay — but only if you accept the commute impact for several years.
• For resale planning: if you may need to sell within 5-8 years, location matters more now. Being in a region unaffected (or minimally impacted) by major construction gives you a resale edge.
• For longer-term buyers (10+ years), the upcoming infrastructure improvements may make the western I-94 corridor homes a good long-game play — but this requires patience for the noisy construction phase.

• 2025–2028: Disruption phase — single lane closures, ramp changes, detours. Expect routine commutes to slide into unpredictable times. 
• Post-2028 through ~2033: Reconstruction phases continue (Stadium Interchange, east leg). But some of the worst delays will be in the earlier phase.
• After completion (~2033 onward): Residents benefit from a modernized I-94 corridor, potentially lowering commute times vs what they are now, improving safety, and strengthening local housing markets. 

For now, however, the pain is now — and savvy families looking to move or buy should factor commute risk as a key locational variable.

The I-94 East-West project is a catalyst that will re-shape housing demand, alter suburban desirability, and influence where families choose to live in the Milwaukee metro region. For households anchored downtown, and especially for those with families, the cost of time and daily commute may outweigh modest savings further west.

If you’re looking to buy in the next 1–3 years, I strongly advise leaning toward North Shore communities or those with alternate commute routes. You’re likely to enjoy shorter, more reliable commutes and avoid the full brunt of construction-related chaos. Over time, this location premium will reflect in resale values as well.