Major I-94 Eastbound Lane Reductions and MCTS Service Cuts Begin This Week

Tuesday Morning Commute: What You Need to Know

Commuters in the Milwaukee area should prepare for significant shifts in traffic patterns today, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Yesterday marked the first day of a new construction phase for the I-94 East-West project, and today is the first full weekday morning rush to test the new lane configurations and public transit modifications.

I-94 Eastbound Major Closures

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has officially moved into the "Early East Leg" segment of the I-94 modernization. Drivers heading into the city from the west will encounter long-term disruptions between 35th Street and 25th Street. The following impacts are now in effect:

• Lane Reductions: I-94 eastbound is reduced to a single lane through the 35th to 25th Street corridor. This closure is expected to remain in place for the duration of the 2026 calendar year to allow for temporary widening and the reconstruction of the 27th Street bridge piers.
• Ramp Closures: The 35th Street entrance ramp to I-94 eastbound is closed. Additionally, the eastbound exit to 26th Street and St. Paul Avenue remains inaccessible.
• Surface Streets: 27th Street is closed to through traffic between St. Paul Avenue and Evergreen Lane. Commuters are encouraged to use 35th Street, Wisconsin Avenue, or 13th Street as primary alternate routes.

MCTS Spring Service Modifications

Public transit riders should double-check their schedules this morning as the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) 2026 Service Plan entered its second phase this past Sunday. To address local budget gaps, five major routes have been shortened and frequency has been adjusted:

• Routes 11, 22, 24, 80, and 88: These routes have seen segment cuts in areas with lower historical ridership. For example, Route 11 now turns back at 92nd Street, and Route 22 no longer serves the UW-Milwaukee campus directly, ending instead at Humboldt Boulevard.
• Ongoing Detours: The PurpleLine continues to detour off 27th Street between Clybourn and National Avenue due to freeway construction. Route 24 remains detoured off the 16th Street Bridge over the Menomonee River Valley.

Relief on I-43 North-South

In positive news for Ozaukee and Northern Milwaukee County commuters, the 14-mile I-43 North-South modernization project between Glendale and Grafton is now substantially complete. Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week, all three lanes are open in both directions. While some minor finishing work may require intermittent off-peak shoulder closures, the heavy construction delays that defined this corridor for the last few years have concluded.

Local Road Reminders

Motorists should also be mindful of spring thaw weight restrictions which went into effect yesterday across Milwaukee County. Heavy vehicle operators are advised to monitor posted bridge and roadway limits as seasonal freezing and thawing begins to impact pavement stability.