Drexel Interchange Groundbreaking, Unveiling of Delphi Plans Today

Update 4:30 p.m. An earlier version of this story said that U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan will be at the groundbreaking, but he will not be attending.

After years and years of discussions about an interchange at Drexel Avenue, the day for a groundbreaking will finally come Friday.

A ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. at , 1521 W. Drexel Ave. According to a media advisory, state Department of Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb will host the event, which will include state and local dignitaries.

The advisory didn't list the dignitaries, but two sources said that Gov. Scott Walker is among those scheduled to attend. Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi and State Rep. Mark Honadel will also speak.

It's the first new interchange in Milwaukee County since the expressway was constructed in the 1970s, according to a news release. Local officials see it as a driver for economic development in the area, particularly for the former Delphi redevelopment project, and also a benefit for Northwestern Mutual's facility on 27th Street. Construction is expected to be completed in November.

At the event, Oak Creek officials will unveil plans for the Delphi site, as first reported by BizTimes Milwaukee and confirmed by Oak Creek Patch.

, called Drexel Town Square, essentially creates a new downtown for Oak Creek. It features a town square in the middle and a walkable Main Street with retail, restaurants and a new library and city hall.

Plans also call for housing on the western end of the development, likely some combination of apartments and condominuiums. 

Residents planning to attend the groundbreaking should enter from 13th Street due to the construction on Drexel.

Oak Creek Patch will have complete coverage of the Drexel Interchange groundbreaking and Delphi plans Friday.