Shut down for 54 hours: “We have a full-freeway closure in both directions on I-94"
Shut down for 54 hours: “We have a full-freeway closure in both directions on I-94
Shut down for 54 hours: "We have a full-freeway closure in both directions on I-94
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Friday night, July 18th is the night -- Crews have started getting in to position. They are ready to move all of the equipment on the roads and let the work begin, as the Zoo Interchange reconstruction project causes the closure of a segment of Interstate 94.
The Starbucks parking lot on the west side of Highway 100, just north of the freeway, is about as close as people want to get to the construction work.
"To set some steel girders over the freeway, for the railroad structure that we’re building," says Jason Roselle, Wisdot project manager. "We need multiple cranes, sitting right in the freeway, in order to—to set these pieces of steel."
For this purpose and through this process, we find complete closure.
"This weekend, starting tonight, at 11:00 p.m., we have a full-freeway closure, in both directions, on I-94, and that will last for 54 hours, until early, Monday morning," says Roselle.
Roselle says the much-anticipated Zoo Interchange project traffic stoppage is prepared to proceed on a packed schedule.
"In addition to the railroad structure, we’re actually going to be demolishing the southbound highway 100 bridge, and we’re also going to be doing a storm sewer crossing, across the freeway," explains Roselle.
It's an ambitious effort, and delays are expected.
"Road construction is not just the momentary inconvenience of your traffic flow," says Marty Head, Walsh Construction safety manager.
Walsh says having construction crews complete the work without incident remains the priority.
"What I do is try to keep our employees from getting hurt, so they can go home in the same condition they came in, this morning, and try to keep the general public as safe as possible," says Walsh.
Drivers are predicting what the side roads will look like.
"You can't fathom how many cars and everything actually travel that freeway until you start putting them on these side streets," says Lee Fiedler, driver.
The DOT is suggesting drivers use alternate routes -- Greenfield Avenue south of I-94 and Bluemound Road north of the interstate.
"It's going to be hectic even more," says Sharon Cooper, driver.
With patience and understanding, the DOT is predicting, we will make it through the weekend.
It's important to note that -- while a temporary exit is supposed to be accessible, from I-94 westbound, at Highway 100, drivers are strongly encouraged to exit well before reaching it.
Law enforcement will be stationed throughout the area to make sure drivers are safe. If you don't have to drive in this direction, just avoid the mess all together.
Zoo Interchange closure tonight: “We have a full-freeway closure in both directions on I-94, and that will last for 54 hours”
Zoo Interchange closure tonight: "We have a full-freeway closure in both directions on I-94, and that will last for 54 hours"
CLICK HERE to visit the full freeway closure site for detailed alternate routes and construction information.
CLICK HERE to subscribe to email updates from WisDOT on the Zoo Interchange project.
