Storm potential postpones freeway closure north of Zoo Interchange
MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has postponed a 54-hour full freeway closure of Interstate 41/U.S. Highway 45 initially slated for Friday, July 15 due to potential stormy weather.
Officials say they hope to reschedule the shutdown of I-41/US 45 between Watertown Plank Road and Burleigh for the following weekend or the weekend after that depending on weather.
"Lightning is a very large safety concern for the project and project team," said WisDOT's Michael Pyritz.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
The road work is part of the Zoo Interchange North Leg project, which has been underway on I-41 over the past two years.
"With the North Leg, we’re reconstructing, fully, the freeway, all the bridge structure and everything else associated with that," Pyritz said.
Zoo Interchange North Leg project on I-41/US 45
Whenever the closure does take place, it will allow crews to put the new beams in for the Union Pacific Railroad. Additional work will also be completed during the closure.
"There’s going to be a lot of welding and connecting of the different elements together," said Pyritz.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.
Businesses, like Pampered Paws, can't use a different to avoid the construction. The pet grooming service has its back to the construction and sits on State Highway 100 – the detour route.
"I’ll be glad when it’s over," Monica Umbs, Pampered Paws' owner, said. "We do have a lot of people that call and want to know which way to go, because they’re constantly wanting to get off on North Avenue, and then they call and say: ‘We’re going to be 15 minutes late because we can’t get off of North Avenue.’"
Zoo Interchange North Leg project on I-41/US 45
Between clients running late and loud noises, it has been a "ruff" situation for dogs, too.
"They’ll be a little more anxious, a little more loud," Umbs said.
The project is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2023. Learn more information about the Zoo Interchange project from WisDOT.