Ground broken for Watertown Plank Rd. interchange project

WAUWATOSA (WITI) -- Ground was broken on Friday morning, October 18th on the US 45 and Watertown Plank Rd. interchange. The $66.8 million contract is part of the overall Zoo Interchange reconstruction project.

Work is underway now to build a new high-capacity interchange that will provide free-flow movements in all directions between the freeway and Watertown Plank Road. One lane in each direction will also be added to Watertown Plank Road from Highway 100 to 87th Street.

As part of the project, a pedestrian bridge will be constructed to more safely connect bike and pedestrian traffic across Watertown Plank Road near the Ronald McDonald House and Children’s Hospital.

This interchange is the front door to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) and the Research Park. Along with the Medical Center and Research Park, the new Watertown Plank Road interchange will serve commuters, long-distance freight and area residents.

The new Watertown Plank Road Interchange is scheduled for completion in late 2014. Work on other parts of the Zoo Interchange project will go through 2018.



The Watertown Plank Road Interchange is just one segment of the larger Zoo Interchange project. The Zoo Interchange is the busiest in the state, carrying 350,000 vehicles daily. Watertown Plank Road serves 19,080 average daily travelers, while US 45 at the interchange serves 169,600.