Milwaukee’s 27th Street viaduct over I-94 to close February 2, 2026, through late 2026

Long-term closure tied to I-94 East-West reconstruction

A key north-south crossing in Milwaukee will close next week as work advances on the I-94 East-West Freeway Project. The 27th Street viaduct over Interstate 94 is scheduled to close to traffic beginning Monday, February 2, 2026, with the closure expected to continue through late 2026.

The shutdown covers 27th Street between St. Paul Avenue and Evergreen Lane. The closure is intended to support reconstruction of the bridge structure as part of the larger multi-phase effort to rebuild and widen portions of I-94 and modernize associated interchanges and local connections.

Detours and related ramp changes beginning February 2

Drivers who normally use 27th Street to cross the Menomonee Valley will be rerouted. The primary signed detour directs traffic to Wisconsin Avenue, 35th Street and Greenfield Avenue for north-south travel around the closure area.

Additional freeway access changes are scheduled the same day. The eastbound I-94 exit serving 26th Street and St. Paul Avenue is set to close beginning February 2 and remain closed through summer 2026, with detours directing motorists to the eastbound I-94 exit at 35th Street and Wisconsin Avenue.

Transit impacts: PurpleLine detour and stop closures

The closure affects bus service that relies on 27th Street as a major corridor. Milwaukee County Transit System service on the PurpleLine, which runs along 27th Street, is expected to detour during the bridge reconstruction. The detour routing includes Canal Street and a shift to 13th Street and 6th Street between Clybourn Street and National Avenue. As part of the change, 11 bus stops are scheduled for temporary closure, with temporary replacement stops identified for riders.

Overlap with another Menomonee Valley crossing closure

The 27th Street closure will occur while another major Menomonee Valley crossing remains unavailable. The 16th Street viaduct is fully closed between Pierce Street and Clybourn Street and is scheduled to remain closed until April 2026 as rehabilitation work continues. The overlap is expected to concentrate traffic onto remaining crossings and key east-west routes serving the valley.

What to expect next on the I-94 project

The 27th Street bridge reconstruction is part of early local-road work associated with the broader I-94 East-West Freeway Project. Construction began in late 2025, with initial long-term lane and ramp impacts already in place west of the Stadium Interchange. Additional impacts are anticipated later in 2026, including long-term lane restrictions on eastbound I-94 approaching 27th Street and a long-term closure of the 35th Street entrance ramp to eastbound I-94.

• Start of 27th Street closure: February 2, 2026 (morning)

• Expected duration: through late 2026

• Key detour routes: Wisconsin Avenue, 35th Street, Greenfield Avenue

• Related freeway change: I-94 eastbound exit to 26th Street/St. Paul Avenue closed through summer 2026

All construction scheduling remains weather dependent and subject to change.