I-43 could expand to three lanes from Silver Spring to Grafton

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is looking to make changes on I-43. Those changes would affect a stretch of interstate from Milwaukee County into Ozaukee County.

Close to 90,000 vehicles a day drive along the I-43 north-south corridor from Silver Spring Dr. to Highway 60 in Grafton. That's why WisDOT is working to open the roads, add more lanes, and improve five interchanges.

"We wanted to look at making it safer and bringing more cars through here everyday," said Lindsay Schmidt of WisDOT.

WisDOT is studying the section of the freeway to see what works best to keep traffic flowing.

"What we're really doing is looking at ways to improve the roadways both in safety and capacity," said Schmidt.

It would mean adding an extra lane north of Silver Spring Dr. -- where it reduces to two right now. It could also change the way you get on and off the freeway. That's because WisDOT is looking at using a diverging diamond interchange at Brown Deer Rd. (see an example of a diverging diamond interchange in the video below).

"Much safer and moves a lot more traffic through the interchange quicker.," said Schmidt.

The study will continue through 2014. Work on the project could start in 2020.

WisDOT is holding a series of public meetings on the freeway proposal. The next one will be held at Christ Church in Mequon from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 22nd. CLICK HERE for more information on the project.