Gridlock Warning: 27th Street Bridge Closure and I-94 Exit Shutdowns Impact Commutes

Significant Disruptions on Key North-South Routes

Milwaukee commuters are facing a challenging Wednesday morning as two major arterial bridges spanning the Menomonee Valley are now simultaneously out of commission. Following the long-term closure of the 27th Street Viaduct that began earlier this week, traffic across the city’s central corridor is seeing heavy congestion. With the 16th Street Viaduct (James E. Groppi Unity Bridge) also remaining closed for emergency repairs until at least April, north-south travel through the heart of the city has been severely restricted.

27th Street Bridge and I-94 Exit Closures

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has officially shuttered the 27th Street Bridge over I-94 for a total reconstruction. This project is expected to last through late 2026. In conjunction with this work, the eastbound I-94 exit to 26th Street and St. Paul Avenue is also closed. This exit will remain unavailable through the summer, forcing drivers to find alternative routes into the Near West Side and downtown.

Recommended detours for those impacted by the 27th Street closure include:

• Utilizing the 35th Street Viaduct as the primary north-south alternative between Wisconsin Avenue and Greenfield Avenue.
• Using the Highway 175 (Miller Park Way) corridor for travel between the north and south sides.
• Exiting I-94 at 13th Street or 35th Street to avoid the closed 26th Street off-ramp.

MCTS PurpleLine and Public Transit Alerts

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) has implemented a major long-term detour for the PurpleLine due to the bridge work. Buses are currently rerouted off 27th Street between Clybourn Street and National Avenue. Commuters should expect significant delays on this line as buses navigate the 35th Street detour. MCTS advises riders to check the real-time bus tracker as trip times have been adjusted to accommodate the increased travel time through the valley. Additionally, Route 24 continues to be detoured due to the ongoing 16th Street Viaduct closure.

Additional Roadworks and Neighborhood Impacts

Beyond the valley, the Village of Shorewood has begun its major reconstruction of North Oakland Avenue between East Capitol Drive and East Glendale Avenue. While one lane of traffic is being maintained, parking is restricted and significant delays are reported during peak morning hours. Meanwhile, in the Menomonee Valley, South Hawley Road remains closed between Park Hill Avenue and West Adler Street as part of the broader I-94 East-West expansion project.

Commuters are strongly encouraged to allow an extra 20 to 30 minutes for their morning travels and to utilize navigation apps to monitor live bottlenecking near the 35th Street Viaduct.