Get ready for freeway slowdowns until at least 2033 – the Interstate 94 East-West project is now underway.
The $1.7 billion undertaking began with lane closures on Monday, the first visible work on an approximately 3.5-mile stretch of I-94 between 70th and 16th streets. The project includes updates to multiple interchanges, including the Stadium Interchange at the center of the work area. Additionally, it will widen the heavily traveled freeway from three to four lanes in each direction.
“This portion of I-94 was built in the 1960s and has reached the end of its useful life,” says Wisconsin Department of Transportation communications manager Trevor Fannon. “It has deteriorated pavement and bridges, outdated design and a crash rate two to three times the statewide average.”
Fannon says construction will modernize the corridor, updating interchanges with safer right-side entrances and exits, improving traffic flow and safety, and creating better connections for cyclists and pedestrians.
So, why is construction slated to take so long? And what’s WisDOT’s plan for minimizing disruptions to Milwaukee commuters? Here’s what to know.
Why will the I-94 East-West project take seven years?
This corridor is one of the busiest in Wisconsin, serving between 158,000 and 178,000 vehicles per day, Fannon explains. Therefore, it was important to WisDOT to not shut down the entire freeway – even though doing so would speed up the construction timeline – and rather complete the project in stages.
Additionally, Fannon says the timeline accounts for the “smart use of taxpayer dollars.” “Freeway reconstruction is a major investment that requires approvals and funding from both state and federal sources,” he explains. “Careful financial planning across budget cycles allows WisDOT to maximize available resources.”
WisDOT also had to consider obstacles along the corridor — including cemeteries, bluffs, rivers and railroad lines — as well as construction-industry capacity. Spreading the work over several years helps manage costs and workload, Fannon says.
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What alternate routes does WisDOT recommend?
According to Fannon, WisDOT is coordinating with local communities to improve and promote alternate routes. Traffic signals, timing and pavement markers along the routes are being updated to handle higher traffic volumes, WisDOT says.
The department offers these alternatives:
- North of I-94: State Street, Wisconsin Avenue, Bluemound Road
- South of I-94: Canal Street, National Avenue, Greenfield Avenue, Lincoln Avenue
- Regional alternates: Brown Deer Road (Highway 100) and I-894 between I-41 and I-43/94
What is WisDOT’s plan to keep things running smoothly for Milwaukee commuters?
One idea is to leave the car at home. WisDOT has budgeted $25 million to $30 million for public transit enhancements to “assist with traffic mitigation” during construction. The department says this is “more than double the transit funding of previous WisDOT mega-projects.”
The funding is designated to create temporary stops and routes to account for closures and detours, meet increased paratransit demand and implement other measures, Fannon says.
How do I stay on top of construction updates?
You can find the most up-to-date list of traffic impacts and road closures at 94eastwest.wisconsindot.gov/construction. Traffic alerts and road closures can also be found at 511wi.gov/#:Alerts.
