How long will I-43 be under construction and more details about Milwaukee summer road projects
As warmer weather arrives, so does construction season.
Construction continues on Interstate 43 from Glendale south to Milwaukee's north side for the rest of spring, summer, and fall.
There are three major projects ongoing on I-43 in the northern half of Milwaukee County. Here are the major construction projects ongoing, including I-43:
I-43 north-south (Glendale to Grafton)
An expansion that adds a third lane in each direction and adds and improves interchanges is expected to end in the summer of 2025.
The DOT said construction is necessary for modernization and safety. Work on the northern segment, which is from Highland Road in Mequon to Highway 60 in Grafton, will continue throughout the summer.
Construction on the southern segment, between Bender Road and Brown Deer Road, is also underway.
Other areas will also be addressed in the near future. Areas along I-43 near the Mequon Road and Port Washington Road Interchanges will also be addressed. The Mequon Road Interchange will be reconstructed, in addition to Good Hope Road, Brown Deer Road, County Line Road and Pioneer Road (county Highway C).
A diverging diamond interchange is planned for Brown Deer Road, which would be new for the Milwaukee area. The diverging diamond describes the traffic pattern that drivers would take while driving through the interchange. Such an interchange is also being considered for the Stadium Interchange as part of the I-94 East-West Corridor project.
Crews are widening the highway from four to six lanes — one lane in each direction — to "accommodate existing and projected future traffic volumes," the DOT said.
Sometimes construction along this route requires the DOT to close the interstate overnight, but typically traffic will be reduced to one lane. Some ramps are closed long-term, including Good Hope Road and Brown Deer Road. For the latest closures visit 511wi.gov.
I-43 URT improvements (Capitol Drive to Hampton Avenue)
Expected to end in late November or early December.
The road section along I-43 from Capitol Drive to Hampton Avenue is under construction so that poor bridge and pavement conditions can be addressed relating to safety and traffic needs //over the abandoned Union Refrigerator Transit railyard, the DOT said.
The DOT said the interstate's footprint will remain the same in this section of I-43.
Hampton Avenue ramps are closed during construction. Expect other lane and ramp closures, to check the latest visit projects.511wi.gov/43milw/closures/.
I-43 (Brown Street to Capitol Drive)
Expected to end in fall of 2024.
I-43 from Capitol Drive to Brown Street is under construction as the existing structure, built before 1963, is deteriorating. The DOT said this section of the interstate has a high crash rate.
Ramps at Atkinson Avenue, Keefe Avenue, and 7th Street has closures overnight. The freeway on-ramp from North Green Bay Avenue is scheduled for overnight closures. Expect other lane and ramp closures. To view the latest visit projects.511wi.gov/43south/closures/.
Zoo Interchange
Expected to end in the fall of 2023.
This 1.7-mile reconstruction project is expanding I-41 to eight lanes from Swan Boulevard to Burleigh Street in Wauwatosa. There will be construction of new bridges at Mayfair Road, North Avenue and Meinecke Avenue and a new bridge for the Union Pacific Railroad. Several retaining walls and noise walls will also be installed.
Drivers are not able to access I-94 eastbound from Highway 100 during construction. Construction has affected traffic on North Avenue in Wauwatosa as the DOT has closed the road or some lanes. Expect lane closures throughout construction. For the latest closures visit projects.511wi.gov/zoo-interchange-project/closures/.
Brown Deer Road and Green Bay Road
Expected to end early or mid-summer.
The intersection of Brown Deer Road (Highway 100) and Green Bay Road (Highway 57) is being turned into an at-grade boulevard. The intersection of Green Bay Road and Teutonia Avenue is being turned into a three-legged roundabout. This project also included resurfacing along Green Bay Road, mostly in Mequon.
The DOT recently resumed work in March which required lane closures along Green Bay Road and Teutonia Avenue, with traffic reduced to a single lane in some sections. For the latest closures on this project visit projects.511wi.gov/browndeer/closures/.
I-894 at Loomis Road
Expected to end in fall of 2023.
This project will reconstruct the Loomis Road Bridge over I-894 and the freeway, ramps, and interchanges will be resurfaced.
There will be some lane and ramp closures along I-894 from 89th Street to 35th Street, but for the most part traffic will stay open, the DOT said.
Highway 175 (Appleton Avenue) bridge
Expected to begin in June and end in late summer.
The Appleton Avenue bridge over the Menomonee River will receive some rehabilitation this summer. Part of the bridge will be replaced and repaved.
Appleton Avenue will be closed at the Menomonee River and detoured onto I-41 then West Good Hope Road. To check for other closures once construction begins visit projects.511wi.gov/175bridge/closures/.
Green Bay Avenue and Good Hope Road
Expected to end in late summer 2023.
This project is at the intersection of North Green Bay Avenue (Highway 57) and West Hood Hope Road. The DOT will be replacing signal equipment and will make "geometric improvements."
There are lane closures but traffic along Green Bay Avenue and Good Hope Road will continue. Right turns in the northbound and southbound lanes on Good Hope Road will be restricted and detoured along Mill Road, 43rd Street, and then back to Good Hope Road. To check for the latest closures related to this project visit projects.511wi.gov/57glendale/closures/.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee 2023 road construction, including I-43, Zoo Interchange
