I-94 East-West Freeway Project; portion of 27th Street to close Feb. 2

Portion of 27th Street to close Feb. 2 for larger I-94 project

As part of the I-94 East-West Freeway Project, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin closures on Feb. 2 to facilitate the reconstruction of the 27th Street bridge.

MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin closures on Feb. 2 to facilitate the reconstruction of the 27th Street bridge over I-94.

The construction is part of the I-94 East-West Freeway Project, in support of widening I-94. All work is weather dependent and subject to change. 

Long-term closures beginning Feb. 2

What we know:

• By 6 a.m.: 27th Street between St. Paul Avenue and Evergreen Lane through late 2026DETOUR: utilize Wisconsin Avenue, 35th Street, and Greenfield Avenue
• DETOUR: utilize Wisconsin Avenue, 35th Street, and Greenfield Avenue
• By 9 p.m.: I-94 eastbound exit to 26th Street/St. Paul Avenue through summer 2026DETOUR: utilize the I-94 eastbound exit to 35th Street and Wisconsin Avenue
• DETOUR: utilize the I-94 eastbound exit to 35th Street and Wisconsin Avenue

Impacts beginning spring 2026

What we know:

• Long-term lane closure on I-94 eastbound, approaching 27th Street
• Long-term closure of the 35 Street entrance ramp to I-94 eastbound

Access to businesses and residences will be maintained throughout the project, though alternate routes may be necessary.

Local and regional alternate routes are encouraged. Travelers should plan ahead and allow extra time.

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Several utilities are completing work ahead of the project. Expect lane closures and traffic shifts along local roads. As part of this utility work, the 28th Street entrance ramp to I-94 westbound will be closed for approximately two months beginning January 26.

Community impact

What they're saying:

Alderman Bob Bauman said the closure means two of the four bridges connecting the north and south sides of Milwaukee will be closed at the same time. The 16th Street Viaduct, a city-owned bridge, has already been shut down for emergency repairs.

The 16th Street Viaduct was closed to traffic in December after the city identified a steel beam requiring emergency repair. City officials said the emergency work is expected to be completed in April, though the bridge will not fully reopen until October.

Once a week, Sentenna Parker uses the 27th Street Viaduct to drive south to medical appointments at the VA. The Marine Corps veteran said the bridge is more than just a roadway — it is a critical connection for daily life.

"This is where I come. I come for the grocery store on the south side. I do all of my work, my business here, because the north side closed everything — Walgreen's, grocery stores," Parker said. "I don't know. We need the transportation to be able to get over here just to be able to live."

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She said she only learned about the upcoming bridge closure when asked about it by reporters.

"It's a hard situation," said Parker.

Bauman called the decision to close both bridges at the same time unreasonable.

"I've been fighting them for 20 years," said Bauman.

Bauman said he asked the state to delay the closure but was told the project could not be paused.

"I believe we were asking them to hold off on 27th Street, and they refused," said Bauman. "They have to proceed with their project."

Looking ahead

What's next:

The state has not provided a specific reopening date for the 27th Street Viaduct. The entire early east leg of the I-94 East-West project is scheduled to be completed in 2028.