BROOKFIELD (WITI) -- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is considering adding auxiliary lanes on I-94 between Moorland Road and the Highway 100 ramps -- and a public hearing is planned for this Thursday, January 13th to discuss the proposal.
The meeting is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the City of Brookfield safety building located at 2100 N. Calhoun Road. The meeting will last until 7:00 p.m. and will be held in an open house format.
Information will be presented that will detail work being considered for 2016 and 2017.
One project, if funded, would result in bridges at Sunnyslope and Elm Grove Road being reconstructed and an auxiliary lane being added both eastbound and westbound on I-94 between Moorland Road and the Highway 100 ramps.
The Milwaukee Business Journal reports the adding the lanes could help the DOT improve the current "F" rating for traffic congestion on the stretch of roadway.
That stretch of highway includes the steep hill between the Highway 100 ramps and Moorland Road interchange, where traffic commonly backs up. Heavy trucks, for example, heading west from Highway 100 take more time to get up to speed because of the hill, slowing traffic, Joshua LeVeque, WisDOT project manager told the Business Journal. Meanwhile, traffic merging onto I-94 from Moorland Road can slow drivers.
The DOT is proposing new auxiliary lanes, one in each direction of traffic, to solve the issue.
"It should improve congestion because you are adding that lane for the trucks to use, so the remaining lanes should be less congested, and it also helps with safety," LeVeque told the Business Journal.
The project would look to address safety and level of service deficiencies seen along this portion of I-94. In addition, the project would replace the bridges which are showing signs of deterioration.
The public is encouraged to stop by during the meeting to gather and/or share information with WisDOT representatives.
CLICK HERE for more on this story via the Milwaukee Business Journal.