27th Street Bridge Closure and I-94 Freeway Projects to Impact Weekend Travel; Mitten Fest Detours in Bay View

Major Freeway Construction and I-94 Corridor Updates

Commuters and weekend travelers in Milwaukee should prepare for significant changes to the traffic landscape this Saturday, February 7, 2026. The ongoing I-94 East-West Freeway Project has entered a critical phase, most notably with the long-term closure of the 27th Street Bridge over I-94. This bridge, which serves as a major artery for those moving between the near west side and the Menomonee Valley, is being completely replaced. Drivers who typically rely on this route are advised to use 35th Street as the primary detour. Furthermore, the I-94 eastbound exit to 26th Street and Saint Paul Avenue remains closed for the duration of this work, which is expected to last through late 2026.

For those traveling on the West Leg of the I-94 project, lanes that were closed for underground utility work on Friday night are scheduled to be fully reopened by Saturday morning. However, motorists should remain alert for shifting lane configurations and adjusted traffic signal timing at intersections near the freeway ramps, as WisDOT continues to tweak signal phases to accommodate the influx of detoured traffic.

City Street Closures and Local Viaduct Repairs

In addition to the major freeway projects, several local viaducts and surface streets remain closed, necessitating alternate routes for neighborhood travel:

• 16th Street Viaduct: The viaduct between West Clybourn Street and West Pierce Street remains closed to all traffic for ongoing bridge inspections and structural repairs.
• South Hawley Road: Traffic is restricted on South Hawley Road between West Park Hill Avenue and West Adler Street. This closure is part of the broader I-94 modernization effort and is expected to remain in place through 2028.
• West Greves Street: Access is currently restricted from the 27th Street Viaduct west to its terminus as crews continue work associated with the freeway expansion.

MCTS Transit Alerts and Service Changes

Public transport users should be mindful of several detours currently affecting Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) routes. The most significant is the PurpleLine reroute, which began earlier this week. The PurpleLine is now detouring off 27th Street between Clybourn Street and National Avenue to avoid the bridge reconstruction area. Passengers should check the Umo app for real-time stop locations. Additionally, Route 24 is experiencing detours near the 16th Street Viaduct. Riders are also reminded that the 2026 service plan is now in effect, which includes targeted reductions in frequency for some routes during non-peak Saturday hours to address regional budget gaps.

Local Event Alert: Bay View Mitten Fest

Travelers in the Bay View neighborhood today should expect localized congestion and street closures around Potter Avenue for the annual Burnhearts Mitten Fest. The event, running from noon to 8:00 p.m., will likely result in heavy pedestrian traffic and limited street parking in the vicinity of the block party. If you are not attending the festival, it is recommended to avoid the area and use Kinnickinnic Avenue for north-south travel.