A legal dispute concerning reconstruction of Milwaukee’s Zoo Interchange is now heading to mediation, as two community groups—Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope and the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin—seek to block reconstruction.  Built in 1963 on the west side of the city, the Zoo Interchange is a freeway interchange forming the junction of I-94, I-894, and US 45. It is named the ‘Zoo Interchange’ because of its nearness to the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Also present in the mediation hearings will be representatives from federal and state transportation agencies who are seeking reconstruction on the road.  However, a lawsuit was filed by the community groups stating that the transportation agencies are guilty of discriminating against urban minorities in their reconstruction plans.  This allegation stems from the fact that the $1.7 billion dollar project does not include any plans for improving public transportation.

Federal Judge Lynn Adelman, who is overseeing the suit, stated that mediation should be the next step because the two groups "have a likelihood of success on the merits and that they are likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of an injunction."  The community groups, in addition to Mark Gottlieb, secretary of the State Department of Transportation, as well as representatives from the Federal Highway Administration have agreed to Adelman’s suggestion. 

According to the lawsuit filed by the community groups, who are also represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin and Midwest Environmental Advocates, the project in its current state would “exacerbate regional racial segregation and would have adverse environmental effects on air quality and water resources.”