Commuter Alert: I-94 Nightly Closures and Long-Term 27th Street Bridge Shutdown

Major Traffic Impacts on I-94 East-West Corridor

Milwaukee commuters should prepare for significant disruptions today, February 24, 2026, as the "Early East Leg" of the I-94 East-West reconstruction project continues into its third week. The most critical impact remains the long-term closure of the 27th Street bridge over I-94. This closure, which is expected to last through late 2026, has severed a major north-south artery for both local and through traffic. Drivers who typically use the 27th Street exit from eastbound I-94 are being detoured to the 35th Street or 13th Street exits.

In addition to the bridge work, the I-94 eastbound exit ramp to 26th Street and St. Paul Avenue is closed through the summer. Commuters heading into the near west side or the Menomonee Valley should plan for extra travel time and use alternative routes such as Wisconsin Avenue or Greenfield Avenue to navigate around the construction zone.

Nightly Freeway Shutdowns and Paving Operations

Nightly operations are significantly affecting freeway flow during late-night and early-morning hours. WisDOT has scheduled full closures of I-94 in both directions between the Stadium Interchange and the Marquette Interchange tonight. These closures, which typically occur from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., are necessary for ongoing bridge demolition and the installation of safety structures over the roadway. Maintenance crews are also working on I-894 eastbound, with construction activity reducing lane capacity through early March.

Maintenance Alerts and Local Roadworks

Beyond the major freeway projects, several maintenance tasks will affect Tuesday’s midday commute:

• I-43 Northbound: Expect lane restrictions between Capitol Drive and Hampton Avenue from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for bridge maintenance.
• I-43 Southbound: Maintenance work is scheduled overnight from 11:30 p.m. tonight through early Wednesday morning.
• 16th Street Viaduct: The viaduct remains closed to all vehicle traffic for rehabilitation. This closure is expected to continue until October 2026.
• Hawley Road: Full closure at I-94 continues, affecting traffic moving between Bluemound Road and the Menomonee Valley.

Public Transit and MCTS Detours

Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) riders should be aware that several major routes are currently operating on detours due to the various construction projects. Specifically, the PurpleLine is detouring off 27th Street between Clybourn and National Avenue. Other impacted routes include Route 18, Route 24, Route 44U, and Route 60. Passengers are encouraged to check the Umo app for real-time bus tracking as these detours can lead to delays in service frequency during peak morning and afternoon hours.