Drivers around Southeast Wisconsin are starting to see real, physical changes as state road crews hit major milestones on several big projects—including I-94, I-41, and the I-43 Rock Freeway.
Here is what is happening with traffic shifts, ramp re-openings, and paving as we head into the weekend and next week.
What’s happening at 27th Street on I-94
On the east leg of I-94 near 27th Street, crews are building massive concrete retaining walls right by the Menominee Valley. Some of these structures will eventually stand 60 feet tall to support extra eastbound lanes down the line.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation representative Eric Hanson says the main focus right now is putting up a 570-foot section along the south side of the freeway.
“So our initial construction right now, we’re building a wall. It’s about 570 feet long. This will allow us to shift eastbound traffic to the south in a future traffic shift that’s scheduled for later this year.”
Clearing out room on the south side gives workers the space they need to keep rebuilding overpasses nearby without shutting down the interstate.
“But as we continue the 27th Street bridge work, these walls will help us shift traffic to the south so we can continue to build a bridge to the north.”
Ramp reopenings on I-41
For commuters on I-41 north of the Zoo Interchange, getting on and off the highway is about to get a lot easier. WisDOT is wrapping up work on several long-term ramp closures near Silver Spring and Capitol Drives.
Hanson says drivers at Silver Spring Drive will see normal access restored in both directions.
“So the ramp openings include the Silver Spring Drive entrance to I-41 northbound, as well as the I-41 southbound exit to Silver Spring Drive.”
Crews are also finishing up work a bit further south along the freeway.
“And then coming up this weekend, the Capitol Drive entrance ramp to I-41 southbound. That’s also scheduled to open this Saturday, July 25th.”
Bridge widening at 68th and 70th Streets
Further west along I-94 near the cemetery, foundation work for new retaining walls is done, and crews are pivoting to local bridges. Heavy steel support beams are already set over 68th Street as construction shifts to neighboring overpasses.
Hanson explains that placing those girders is a major step for cross-street traffic.
“And at 68th Street, we set the girders for that tent bridge widening earlier this week.”
Once 68th Street is wrapped up, equipment moves immediately to the next bridge down the line.
“And once we wrap up 68th, we’ll move on to 70th Street.”
Fresh concrete on the I-43 Rock Freeway
If you drive the I-43 Rock Freeway every day, all that background utility work and earthmoving is finally yielding a brand-new road surface. Crews have officially started pouring fresh concrete on the northbound lanes.
Hanson notes that starting concrete paving is one of the biggest markers on a project like this.
“The I-43 Rock Freeway project, we do have concrete paving that has started on our northbound lanes. So this is always a big milestone on these reconstruction projects.”
By squeezing all traffic onto the southbound side, workers get the entire northbound side to themselves to pour both lanes at once.
“at a rate of about 300 truckloads each day. So this equates to about two-thirds of a mile of progress, paved each day, working from south to north.”
WisDOT reminds everyone to slow down in work zones and check online for real-time lane updates.
