Lane restrictions begin soon on I-94 East-West project in Milwaukee

February 9, 2012

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will begin lane restrictions next week to rehabilitate I-94 eastbound from 70th Street to 32nd Street in Milwaukee County.

"Work will be phased on the 2.5-mile stretch to keep two lanes open in each direction during daytime hours, beginning the week of February 20," said Bob Gutierrez, WisDOT project chief. "At night, however, double lane closures are necessary to meet the aggressive project schedule," he noted. Night work will begin February 12 between 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Mitchell Boulevard will be reconstructed from just north of Story Parkway to just south of the I-94 freeway ramps. Existing pavement will be replaced and sidewalk will be added along the east side of Mitchell Boulevard under the freeway. Construction is scheduled from early March through mid-April 2012, weather-permitting.

Mitchell Boulevard and the I-94 freeway ramps to and from Mitchell Boulevard will be fully closed during construction, except during Brewers home games. Motorists can use Miller Park Way/US 41, Hawley Road and Bluemound Road to get around this closure. The eastbound 68th Street entrance ramp will be closed throughout the project for traffic management. Other ramp work will be staged throughout construction to minimize impacts.

"Daytime lane restrictions on I-94 eastbound will conclude just in time for Summerfest," said Gutierrez.

The $9 million contract went to Payne and Dolan of Waukesha.

The I-94 East-West Freeway is one of the busiest routes in southeast Wisconsin. It serves as a vital link to downtown Milwaukee and the western suburbs. Pavement repair and bridge work is needed to keep I-94 serving the area.

In 2011, crews completed resurfacing work in both directions from WIS 16 to 124th Street in Waukesha County, and westbound I-94 from 70th Street to 32nd Street in Milwaukee County. That project was on time and on budget.

WisDOT encourages motorists to plan ahead, use alternate routes and modes of transportation, and expect delays during this project. Drivers from the west should be aware that there are two construction projects taking place this spring/summer in the vicinity of this project:

• US 18 (Bluemound Road) between I-94 and Moorland Road: Early spring to Labor Day. US 18 will be open to traffic and businesses with temporary lane shifts and changes in access during construction.
• WIS 190 (Capitol Drive) from Brookfield Road to WIS 100 (Mayfair Road): Underway now until October. Capitol Drive will remain open to traffic during construction during peak hours, with temporary changes in how motorists drive through the construction zone. Between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Visit www.repave94.org for the latest project information and travel times.

For more information, contact:
Communications manager Emlynn Grisar, WisDOT SE Region
(262) 521-5373, emlynn.grisar@dot.wi.gov