Road construction suspended to accommodate heavy traffic during Memorial Day weekend

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- To help an anticipated surge of holiday travelers reach their destination safely and efficiently, construction work on most major highway projects around the state will be suspended during the three-day Memorial Day weekend, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

Most construction in work zones will cease by noon on Friday, May 22, and will not resume until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26. Peak travel times for the Memorial Day weekend are expected to be from noon until 8 p.m. on both Friday, May 22, and Monday, May 25.

“Although most lanes through work zones will be open to handle the heavy holiday traffic, drivers may still encounter narrow lanes, lane shifts and rough pavement. They will need to stay alert, slow down, and not tail-gate. Rear-end collisions caused primarily by distracted driving, speeding and following other vehicles too closely are the most frequent type of crash when approaching and driving through work zones,” said Beth Cannestra, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Project Development.

During the Memorial Day weekend last year, there were 11 traffic fatalities in Wisconsin. On average during the last five years, eight people died in Memorial Day weekend traffic crashes, according to WisDOT.

To prevent traffic deaths and injuries, law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin will be out in force during the holiday weekend to crack down on unbuckled drivers and passengers as part of the “Click It or Ticket” mobilization, which runs until May 31.

Significant road construction projects that may affect highway travel during the Memorial Day weekend include the following:


    Travelers can check online for real-time traffic information, including travel times, lane closures and incidents, at www.511wi.gov or by calling 511 on a phone.