Major I-94 Ramp Closures and MCTS Detours Create Delays for Wednesday Morning Commute

Commuter Overview for Wednesday, March 18

Milwaukee drivers face a complex morning commute this Wednesday as several long-term infrastructure projects reach critical phases and the region recovers from recent winter weather. While major arteries have been cleared following the travel advisories earlier this week, secondary streets and overpasses may still harbor slick spots during the early morning hours. Commuters are advised to plan for an additional 15 to 20 minutes of travel time, particularly when moving through the Stadium Interchange and the near west side.

Interstate and Highway Disruptions

The I-94 East-West Corridor remains the primary source of disruption for regional travel. Following the recent start of the 'Early East Leg' segment, the 35th Street entrance ramp to I-94 eastbound is now fully closed. This restriction is expected to remain in place through late 2026. Additionally, motorists will encounter significant lane closures on I-94 eastbound between 35th Street and 25th Street as crews modernize the aging freeway infrastructure.

• Hawley Road: Hawley Road remains fully closed at the I-94 interchange. Drivers should utilize WIS 175 or 84th Street as alternate routes for north-south travel.
• I-894 Noise Barriers: Reconstruction of noise barrier panels continues near 60th Street and 76th Street. While some ramps have recently reopened, intermittent shoulder closures and lane shifts are still affecting merging traffic.
• I-43 North-South: Although the expansion between Glendale and Grafton is now complete, motorists heading further north should prepare for new lane restrictions starting tomorrow in Sheboygan County.

Local Roadworks and Public Meetings

Resurfacing work on WIS 24 (Forest Home Avenue) has officially resumed for the spring season. Expect long-term single-lane closures and potential delays between Howard Avenue and Janesville Road. Crews are also active at the intersections of 76th Street, Coldspring Road, and 68th Street for traffic signal replacements.

Drivers on the south side should be aware that the city is hosting a critical public meeting tonight regarding the upcoming National Avenue (WIS 59) reconstruction. The meeting will be held at the Mitchell Park Domes from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. While major construction on National Avenue is slated to begin in April, early utility work may cause minor disruptions near 27th Street today.

MCTS Transit and Public Transport Alerts

Riders of the Milwaukee County Transit System are reminded that Phase II of the 2026 Service Plan is now fully operational. Several routes, including the 11, 22, 24, 80, and 88, have been shortened or detoured to accommodate I-94 construction. Specifically, Route 24 continues to detour off the 16th Street Bridge over the Menomonee River Valley. MCTS has added extra service time to the CONNECT 1 BRT and Route 30 to help maintain reliability despite the increased freeway congestion.