Construction project planned for I-94 WB out of downtown



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- One week from Monday (on March 4th), a construction project is set to get underway on I-94 westbound out of downtown Milwaukee.

"Another work zone out there, so (drivers need to) be ready for it. We're going to be converting some of the shoulders, and reconfiguring the median barrier wall to provide a fourth auxiliary lane out of downtown," Ryan Luck with the Wisconsin DOT said.

To improve traffic backups, the DOT is turning the shoulder into a lane for traffic. To do so, they will have to shut down a lane beginning on March 4th.

The DOT says there are ways to avoid what is probably going to be traffic backups in the area as the construction project is completed -- but it may mean finding a new route.

"We are stongly recommending Canal Street be used, especially if you are on the southern side of I-94," Luck said.

Another option is taking Wisconsin Avenue out of downtown.

"Once you get to the Stadium Interchange, your commute out west, through the Stadium Interchange to 94 will really be unobstructed," Luck said.

DOT officials say this project may take up to six weeks.

"We'll get through this together, and we think this improvement is really going to help the freeway system," Luck said.