
Wisconsin Park-And-Ride Lots Now Closed Due To Safety, Security Concerns
Park-and-ride lots, which are parking areas that allow commuters to leave their cars and use public transportation to get to their destination, are great for several reasons.
Studies have shown that park-and-ride lots help reduce traffic because they play a role in reducing the number of vehicles on the road which not only reduces congestion and energy consumption but also improves air quality.
Park-and-ride lots are also cost-effective because they help commuters save money on fuel and avoid parking fees.
The lots are often conveniently located near major highways, so commuters can easily get to the parking areas. However, sometimes the areas in which they are located can become dangerous and action needs to be taken to protect the public. That is what happened recently in Wisconsin.
WisDOT Forced To Close Park-And-Ride Lots Due To Safety & Security Issues
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, with support from city and county officials, recently announced the indefinite closure of two park-and-ride lots and the partial closure of another park-and-ride lot due to declining safety conditions.
WisDOT notes that over the past year, they and their partners have worked to find housing solutions for the growing number of people living in their vehicles and in encampments in the park-and-ride lots, but despite their best efforts, the environments at these lots continue to degrade and become less safe every day.
First responders including law enforcement, fire service personnel, and paramedics are responding to a heightened number of emergency calls regarding dangerous and unsafe activity in and around the lots.
All of the lots impacted by this action are in Milwaukee County, at the following locations:
- I-43/94 and Holt Avenue: Closed indefinitely
- I-43/94 at County ZZ: Northeast College Avenue lot closed indefinitely
- I-43/94 at County ZZ: Portions of the southwest College Avenue lot are also closed.

WisDOT says that to date, Milwaukee County Housing Services has found safer and more suitable housing for more than 80 individuals in these areas but, despite those actions, more individuals continue to enter the lots.
Startling Increase In Reported Crimes At These Park-And-Ride Lots
WisDOT reported that between July 1 and September 30, 2024, Milwaukee city and county law enforcement responded to a combined 275 calls for service, a nearly 42% increase over the same period in 2023.
Officers are responding to increased reports of assault, theft, and subjects with weapons. Other recently reported incidents causing law enforcement responses included robbery, shots fired, and drug overdoses. It has become abundantly clear that the current conditions are unsustainable.
To its credit, WisDOT and partners have recently worked with individuals in the lots to inform them of the need to vacate per Wisconsin State Statute 86.025. It’s illegal in Wisconsin to camp on public highways or adjacent rights-of-way.
WisDOT says its leadership understands homelessness is a nationwide concern, requiring care and compassion to solve, which is why the agency and its partners have used resources to respectfully rehouse individuals living in the park-and-rides
However, as conditions continued to deteriorate, WisDOT made the difficult decision to close the Holt Avenue lot, the northeast College Avenue lot, and portions of the southwest College Avenue lot.
What This Means For Commuters Who Use These Lots
Effective Monday, October 21, WisDOT will close the Holt Avenue lot. The northeast College Avenue lot and portions of the southwest College Avenue lot will close soon after.
A small area of the southwest College Avenue lot will remain open to serve transit riders. Concrete barrier walls and fencing will be placed around the lots. Individuals will have the ability to leave but will not be able to enter the lots.
WisDOT staff and partners are evaluating actions that will allow other park-and-ride locations to remain open for their intended use. Plans for reconfiguration at other park and ride lots and increased monitoring are underway.
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WisDOT will continue to work with the Milwaukee County Transit System to assist transit users who park in the Holt Avenue lot and ride buses to their destinations.
Signage will be placed at the lot and rider outreach will take place to inform them of the service changes. More information about Milwaukee County transit options can be found through the button above.
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