Wisconsin I-94 East-West Project

08/28/2026

🚧CONSTRUCTION UPDATE🚧

Piling continues near the 27th Street bridge, where crews are installing 90-foot-long piles to support the new retaining walls. Each pile extends 6 feet into bedrock, creating a solid foundation for what’s ahead.

08/26/2026

A good reminder to use all lanes until the merge point, and then take turns merging, when encountering a lane closure.

When it comes to merging for lane closures, there are some misconceptions out there. The truth is this - using all lanes until the merge point, and then zipper merging, will help us all get where we’re going more efficiently. The zipper merge can reduce traffic backups by as much as 40%.

So, the next time you encounter a lane closure, use all lanes until the merge point, and then take turns merging. Learn more about the zipper merge: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/safety-eng/ZipperMerge.aspx

08/21/2026

ICYMI: Sean Race, WisDOT Construction Supervisor, joined CBS 58 to give an update on the I-94 East-West Project.

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- For the latest peek at the changes in roadwork and construction that will impact local commutes, Sean Race of the Wisconsin Department of Transpiration joined us on Tuesday, Aug.

08/12/2026

🚧 UPCOMING IMPACTS 🚧

The West Leg segment is scheduled to enter its next phase of work overnight on Monday, August 17. The following long-term closure is scheduled as part of this work:

⛔ 10 p.m. - single lane closure on I-94 eastbound between 70th Street and General Mitchell Boulevard through late 2026

This lane closure will facilitate concrete paving of the I-94 eastbound lanes in the cemetery section.

Please plan ahead, allow extra travel time and use caution when traveling through the work zone. 🚗

08/06/2026

Visit WisDOT at the Wisconsin State Fair! 🚧🎡

Stop by our booth in the Expo Center (C1839) to chat with the team about the I-94 East-West project and other transportation projects happening across the area.

While you're there, explore our I-94 East-West corridor model and watch our drive-through videos to see what the finished freeway will look like before it's built. We look forward to seeing you at the Fair!

07/31/2026

🚙🎡 If you're attending the Wisconsin State Fair this year, plan ahead and allow extra time. Fairgoers can find recommended routes to and from the Fair on the new interactive webpage. The site includes routes to/from each gate in all directions around the grounds. Check it out: https://wistatefair.com/getting-here

07/22/2026

🚧 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE 🚧

Earlier this week, crews placed concrete girders along westbound I-94 over 68th Street as part of the temporary widening of the I-94 westbound lanes.

Similar to the girders used over 64th Street, some of these girders previously carried traffic on John Nolen Drive over the Monona Causeway in Madison and are now getting a second life here on the I-94 East-West project.

🔹 6 girders installed
🔹 Lengths range from 45 feet to 72 feet
🔹 Temporary widening is expected to remain in place through summer 2028

The temporary bridge widening will help maintain traffic in both directions on I-94 while crews build the new eastbound lanes and bridges.

07/16/2026

🚧 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE 🚧

Construction is underway on the first of a complex retaining wall system that will support the future I-94 eastbound lanes between 25th and 35th Streets. Located south of I-94 beneath 27th Street, this retaining wall will stretch 573 feet long and reach up to 18 feet high. It will support temporary eastbound traffic later this year while creating space to build additional retaining walls. This wall will eventually be buried below the permanent I-94 eastbound pavement that will be constructed in later years. Once complete, the full retaining wall system will allow I-94 to expand southward to its future eight-lane configuration, with portions of the walls rising as much as 60 feet above the adjacent Menomonee Valley.

So, what's holding this retaining wall all together? Layer upon layer of gravel, geotextile fabric, and a steel wire grid work together to create a strong, stable structure that can support the roadway while allowing water to drain properly.

It is one of those behind-the-scenes features most drivers will never notice, but it is essential for building a safe, durable highway that will serve the community for decades to come.

07/09/2026

🚧CONSTRUCTION UPDATE🚧

Crews have completed demolition and are constructing piers to prepare for temporary widening of the I-94 westbound bridge over 68th Street. Temporary widening has already taken place along I-94 westbound over Hawley Road and 64th Street and will take place over 70th Street next. This temporary widening of I-94 westbound will allow us to shift traffic and enable bi-directional travel on I-94 westbound while the eastbound lanes are reconstructed.

07/03/2026

🇺🇲 4TH OF JULY WORK RESTRICTIONS 🇺🇲

Entering into the holiday weekend, all freeway work will be suspended from noon today through 6 a.m. Monday morning, July 6. In our freeway work zones, at least two lanes will be open in each direction, with no overnight closures scheduled.