Major I-43 and I-94 Closures: Expect Significant Commute Delays This Morning

Milwaukee Traffic and Commute Update: Monday, February 23, 2026

Commuters across Milwaukee are facing a challenging Monday morning as several major freeway reconstruction projects and local bridge closures converge. With the I-94 East-West project and I-43 improvements in full swing, travel times are significantly higher than average on major arteries. Drivers are encouraged to allow at least 20 extra minutes for their morning routes.

Crucial Freeway Closures and Work Zones

The most significant disruption this morning is on I-43 Northbound. A scheduled closure for URT improvements between Capitol Drive and Hampton Avenue remains in effect. This stretch is not expected to reopen until tomorrow afternoon, forcing heavy traffic onto local alternates like Green Bay Avenue and Port Washington Road. Expect bottlenecking at the North Avenue and Locust Street exits as drivers divert.

On I-94, the East-West Freeway Project is causing substantial friction. The 28th Street entrance ramp to I-94 Westbound is currently closed for utility work, a closure that will remain in place through late March. Additionally, the I-94 Eastbound exit to 26th Street and St. Paul Avenue is closed for long-term reconstruction. On the south side, I-894 Eastbound continues to see nightly and off-peak lane restrictions for noise barrier installation between 84th Street and the Mitchell Interchange.

Local Bridge and Road Restrictions

Surface street traffic is heavily impacted by the ongoing 27th Street Bridge closure over I-94. This remains a total closure as crews reconstruct the bridge deck. Commuters who normally use 27th Street should utilize 35th Street or 13th Street as primary north-south alternates. The 16th Street Bridge also remains closed to through traffic between W. Clybourn Street and S. Emmber Lane for rehabilitation, with a southern extension of the closure reaching W. Pierce Street for emergency beam repairs.

MCTS Transit and Safety Updates

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is operating under its current winter schedule, but several routes are navigating significant detours. Route 60 is currently detouring off 60th Street between Main Street and Bluemound Road due to I-94 project impacts. Route 44U is also seeing eastbound detours due to the closure of the 68th and Kearney on-ramp.

Riders are reminded that the new $2.75 base fare is in effect for those using WisGo or the Umo app. Additionally, MCTS has increased the presence of law enforcement and public safety officers on high-traffic lines this month to assist with fare compliance and passenger safety. Transit users should check the Umo app for real-time bus locations, as freeway congestion is causing ripple-effect delays on many local routes.

Commuter Recommendations

• Avoid I-43 Northbound: If traveling toward the North Shore, use Lincoln Memorial Drive as a scenic but effective alternative.
• Zipper Merge: WisDOT reminds drivers to use both lanes until the merge point on I-94 West Leg to maintain traffic flow.
• Plan for MCTS Delays: Expect 10-15 minute delays on routes crossing the Menomonee Valley due to bridge detours.