Ramps Reopen Connecting 27th Street, Interstate

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation gave Greenfield motorists an early Christmas present Wednesday by reopening 27th Street ramps that connect one of the city's main thoroughfares with the 894 Interstate Expressway. 

"This is an awesome day," said Greenfield mayor Michael Neitzke during a ribbon cutting ceremony on the eastbound ramp Wednesday morning. 

"It's been a cooperative effort for everyone to make sure that this happens," he added as he thanked DOT and business improvement officials along with Milwaukee Alderman Terry Witkowski. "It's a huge investment in our community and our region." 

The as part of the DOT's Mitchell Interchange project. Ramps along the 35 miles have been intermittently closed since the $1.9 billion project began in May 2009. 

"This type of project is a huge investment to the quality of life in the community," said Ryan Luck, the project's construction chief. "The old infrastructure was deteriorating and needed to replaced."

Greenfield and the City of Milwaukee have created three business improvement districts along the 27th Street corridor. . They were paid for by a $1.5 million grant from the WisDOT as part of the Interstate 94 Mitchell Interchange project. 

This summer, officials from both municipalities , known locally as 27th Street, open for business.