Drivers beware: I-894 westbound freeway closure for Sept. 20-23

MILWAUKEE - Drivers who frequent I-894 between the Mitchell and Hales Interchanges should be aware of a freeway closure that will be in effect from Friday night, Sept. 20 through early Monday, Sept. 23. 

"Well, I know the weekend commute is going to be really hard," said Angela Smith, a Milwaukee County resident. 

All westbound lanes of I-894 from the Mitchell Interchange to the Hale Interchange will be shut down from 11:30 p.m. Friday until 5:30 a.m. Monday for milling and paving operations. The stretch is approximately three miles long. 

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"It's good for the economy to a certain extent because everyone is working, but not so much for the driver," said Michael Ryan, a resident. 

"The build-up is coming," said Dontau Ransom, a resident. "I think that's why they get it over the weekend because like a lot of people will be off, so traffic might not be, but during the week for sure."

The full I-894 rehabilitation project will involve resurfacing freeway lanes and ramps on I-894 – as well as reconstructing the Loomis Road interchange. 

"During these freeway closures, the best detours would be best to use the rest of our freeway system which is I-94 and I-43," said Eric Hanson, Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Construction Project Manager.

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WisDOT officials say drivers who have to be on that side of town should plan on using Layton Avenue as a detour. Also, drivers should be aware the eastbound lanes of I-894 will be closed Friday, Sept. 27 through Monday, Sept. 30 to mill and pave the eastbound lanes.