Milwaukee Region:
Transportation and Infrastructure
Milwaukee’s strategic location and robust infrastructure network create unmatched advantages for local businesses. Our comprehensive transportation system powers economic growth, connects workers to jobs and helps companies to reach customers efficiently across the region and beyond.
The Milwaukee region benefits from recently modernized highway infrastructure that keeps business moving smoothly. Over $2 billion in improvements over the past decade have transformed our transportation landscape:
Rebuilt Interchanges
The Marquette, Mitchell, and Zoo interchanges now feature state-of-the-art design for improved traffic flow.
Enhanced I-94 Corridor
Critical improvements to our Chicago-Madison connection have reduced congestion and travel times.
New Economic Access Points
Strategic ramp additions have opened development corridors, attracting major businesses including IKEA, Amazon’s distribution centers and Microsoft campus.
Port Milwaukee:
Your Gateway to Global Markets
Port Milwaukee provides local businesses with direct access to international shipping opportunities:
- Impressive Capacity: Handles over 2 million metric tons of cargo annually
- Multi-Modal Connections: Direct vessel-to-rail, truck, or barge transfers with lifting capacity exceeding 300 tons
- Global Access: Direct shipping routes to international ports via the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system
- Foreign Trade Zone No. 41: Reduces tariff burdens on imports and exports, enhancing competitiveness for local companies in the global marketplace
MILWAUKEE MITCHELL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MKE)
Located just 8 miles from downtown, Mitchell International Airport connects Milwaukee businesses to domestic and international opportunities:
- Convenient Connections: 8 airlines offering approximately 132 daily departures
- Extensive Reach: Nonstop service to 39+ destinations with single-connection access to hundreds more
- Freight Capacity: Handled 147+ million pounds of freight (based on most recent complete data)
- Business Travel Hub: Serving 6.5+ million passengers annually
Comprehensive
Transit Options
Our interconnected public transportation network ensures workforce mobility across the region:
Rail Transportation
Milwaukee offers excellent freight and passenger rail connections:
Reliable Utilities
Supporting Business Growth
Milwaukee businesses benefit from dependable utility infrastructure:
Abundant Water Resources
Direct access to Lake Michigan provides exceptional water reliability for manufacturing, food processing, and other water-intensive industries.
Energy Reliability
We Energies and other providers deliver consistent power with growing renewable options.
Advanced Broadband
High-speed internet infrastructure supports technology growth, remote work capabilities, and innovation hubs.
Looking Forward:
Infrastructure Investment
- I-94 West Corridor:
Supporting renovation and expansion west of downtown Milwaukee to eliminate one of the last remaining chokepoints in our freeway system
- Intermodal Facilities:
Developing logistics centers that streamline goods transfer between rail, truck and air transport
- Connectivity Enhancements:
Ongoing bridge repairs and transit upgrades to strengthen regional mobility
We Are Here.
Ready To Help.
Want to learn how Milwaukee’s transportation advantages can benefit your business growth and success? Our team can connect you with resources, incentives and strategic partnerships to maximize your infrastructure opportunities.
Rebecca Gries
Executive Director, Milwaukee 7
Office: 414/287-4140
Cell: 262/510/9938
Katie Mendenhall
Director of Corporate Expansion & Attraction, Milwaukee 7
Office: 414/287-4143
Cell: 703/297-7098
Jane Mullarkey
Manager of Corporate Attraction & Expansion, Milwaukee 7
414/287-4171
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2023