A look at the closures and traffic impacts expected on the I-43 construction project in 2023

Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·4 min read
Construction work takes place on I-43 just north of West Hampton Avenue in Glendale on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, as part of the $500 million I-43 north-south reconstruction and expansion project.
Construction work takes place on I-43 just north of West Hampton Avenue in Glendale on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, as part of the $500 million I-43 north-south reconstruction and expansion project.

Drivers will continue to face construction and road closures this year on Interstate 43 as part of the north-south reconstruction project between Silver Spring Drive in Glendale and Highway 60 in Grafton.

Construction started in late 2021 on the $500 million project that will expand I-43 from four to six lanes ― adding one lane in each direction ― and reconstruct five existing interchanges. Work is scheduled to continue through mid-2025.

In 2022, motorists experienced construction in the North End Segment of the project as well as on County Line Road and Port Washington Road.

2023 will see construction starting within the South End Segment between Brown Deer Road and Bender Road, Wisconsin Department of Transportation communications manager Dan Sellers said in an email.

For the weekly construction forecast, visit www.projects.511wi.gov.

Here's a look at some of the upcoming work and traffic impacts expected to take place in 2023, according to the most recent outlook published by Wis-DOT:

County Line Road/Port Washington Road Interchange construction

County Line Road between Pheasant Lane and Port Washington Road will remain closed through mid-2023 for bridge reconstruction.

Drivers can expect the County Line Road entrance ramp to I-43 southbound to remain closed through mid-2023. The I-43 northbound exit ramp to Port Washington Road also will remain closed through mid-year.

Port Washington Lane between County Line Road and El Rancho Drive will remain closed through mid-2023 for roadway reconstruction.

Widening of I-43 South End Segment planned in 2023

Drivers will experience several changes on the South End Segment of I-43 between Bender Road and Brown Deer Road in 2023.

The southbound widening in that stretch is scheduled to start in early spring to accommodate northbound traffic.

Along that same segment, reconstruction of the northbound freeway is scheduled to start in early summer. WisDOT will start clearing operations throughout the projects in early 2023.

Jean Nicolet Road, between Bender Road and Brentwood Lane, is scheduled to close long-term in early 2023 for reconstruction.

Reconstruction of Port Washington Road, between Bender Road and Daphne Road, is scheduled to start in early 2023.

The reconstruction of the Brown Deer Road Interchange is scheduled to start in early spring. Brown Deer Road will remain open throughout construction.

Drivers can also expect reconstruction of the Good Hope Road Interchange in early spring. Good Hope Road will remain open with two lanes open in each direction throughout construction.

Improvements planned for Green Bay Road/Range Line Road intersection

WisDot is planning improvements to the Green Bay Road and Range Line Road intersection in Milwaukee County.

During the project, officials plan on closing Range Line Road in early spring. A new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection, according to the schedule.

Right turn lanes will be added on Green Bay Road, and all four legs of the intersection will be resurfaced.

North End Segment construction plans for 2023

Drivers on the North End Segment between Highland Road and Highway 60 (Washington Street) will see construction in 2023. Lakefield Road under I-43 is scheduled to close in early 2023 for bridge reconstruction.

Additionally, Highway C (Pioneer Road) is scheduled to close long-term in early 2023 for reconstruction. The ramps will also be closed long-term as part of the reconstruction.

There will be a short-term closure of Highway 60 and Highland Road ramps throughout 2023.

Mequon Road Interchange Segment construction

WisDot is scheduled to start widening I-43 southbound this year. Work on the I-43 southbound bridge widening over Mequon Road is scheduled to start in mid-2023.

Mequon Road will have long-term lane closures under I-43 during late 2023, according to the schedule.

Contact Alex Groth at agroth@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @grothalexandria.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: I-43 project will bring more closures and traffic impacts in 2023