Ramp closure forces drivers to detour at I-794

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It's not the sight people want to see driving to work Monday morning. But starting at 5 a.m., the Lincoln Memorial Drive on-ramp to westbound I-794 closed.

"People can use Clybourn Street to the Jackson Street on-ramp, there is high volume in the Jackson Street on-ramp as well so we do recommend people plan ahead," said Wisconsin Department of Transportation Project Manager Carolynn Gellings.

This closure is just part of the I-794 Hoan Bridge Improvement Project. In 2010, an in-depth inspection was done on the Hoan Bridge. It's structurally sound, but repairs were identified.

"We're going to be retrofitting some of the structural steel, we're going to be completely replacing the concrete driving surface and also repainting the structure," said Gellings.

Portions of I-794 near will the Marquette Interchange will also be reconstructed during the project. The closure to the Lincoln Memorial Drive on-ramp to I-794  is needed to build a temporary road so crews don't have to shut down I-794 during construction.

"The temporary roadway will be in place during both major stages so that's about two years beginning in mid to late December this year," said Gellings.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials expect to re-open the on-ramp in a week. But in December, it will close again and the temporary road will go into use as the I-794 Hoan Bridge Improvement Project will be in full swing.

Beginning Wednesday, Jackson Street underneath the freeway between St. Paul and Clybourn will also be closed for about a week but the ramps will still be open.