94 North-South Freeway Project

Frequently asked questions

Why is the 27th Interchange being rebuilt and how will it affect traffic?

The 27^th Street interchange has been reconstructed with a new configuration which consists of U-Ramps. This design significantly improves traffic flow and safety through the interchange. All vehicles will enter the freeway via right-hand turns off of 27^th Street. The only traffic which will cross 27^th Street will be vehicles turning left onto 27^th Street after exiting the freeway.  

One of the more significant changes is the rerouting of 27^th Street access to/from I-94, south of the new Mitchell Interchange. The Layton Avenue interchange on I-94 will be used by travelers to gain access to/from 27^th Street when traveling from/to I-94.

Click here to view the new 27^th Street Interchange Design.

Mitchell interchange, 27th Street Southbound to I-43/894 Eastbound

Mitchell interchange, 27th St. Northbound to I-43/894 Westbound

What will the new Mitchell Interchange Tunnels look like?

Three new tunnels have been built as part of the new Mitchell Interchange within the I-94 N-S Freeway Project reconstruction.  The tunnels are scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2012, when the interchange is completed.  The Mitchell Interchange tunnels have been designed with many features to ensure that the tunnels operate safely and efficiently.

• The West to North  (I-43/894 EB to I-43/94 NB) System Ramp in the Mitchell Interchange will consist of Tunnels 1 & 2 seperated by a 75 foot open space between the two tunnels.  Tunnel 1 is 585 feet in length and Tunnel 2 is 744 feet in length. There are two travel lanes in both tunnels.
• The South to West (I-94 WEST (NB) to I-43/894 WB) System Ramp in the Mitchell Interchange constitutes Tunnel 3. This tunnel has three travel lanes and is 645 feet in length.
• All tunnels have12 foot wide travel lanes with shoulders on both the left and right sides. 
• Minimum tunnel height is 16 feet 9 inches.

Click here to view the future Mitchell Interchange with the three Tunnels.

Safety
The tunnels have advanced lighting, ventilation, and drainage systems that will be in place upon completion of the tunnel construction.  For example, the lighting is designed to assist drivers' eyes in adjusting from outside light to tunnel light and back again with an adaptive lighting system for day and night operations.   Every fourth light and the four illuminated exit signs in the tunnel are backed by an emergency generator to provide limited visibility during a power outage. 

A 75 foot long gap between Tunnels 1 & 2 has been designed specifically to provide for safety of motorists in the West to North tunnels. The gap provides a cost effective means of providing a point of access into and out of the tunnels in case of emergency, without the need for costly mechanical ventilation systems and intermediate emergency exits. Maintenance crews will be plowing snow and maintaining the driving surface of the section between the tunnels, similar to the rest of the freeway system.

Ease of Navigation
The new interchange configuration replaces the left lane exits with traffic patterns that will improve safety and reduce incidents within the interchange.  New overhead lane assignment signs will guide drivers through the tunnels in the appropriate lanes, making it easy to navigate in the case of an incident or other emergency.
 
Emergency Response
There are additional safety features included to make responding to an incident within the tunnels as easy as possible for first responders.  Traffic cameras will be monitoring the entire interchange, including the inside of each of the tunnels.  Cameras help verify incidents and delay, and reduce the time it takes to respond to and clear an incident.  Overhead lane assignment signs and dynamic message signs are also included to help reroute motorists in case of incidents or closures.

Drive Through the Tunnels Today on Your Computer
Click here to download and view the 3D animation of the tunnel drive through Tunnels 1 & 2 on the West to North System Ramp.
Click here to download and view the 3D animation of the tunnel drive through Tunnel 3 of the South to West System Ramp.

These animations are available on Plan94.org by clicking on the Roadway Designs link under the resources tab. 

What is the purpose of this project?

The I-94 North-South Freeway Project is necessary because after 40 years, one of the state's most frequently used freeways is in critical need of rebuilding. Rebuilding the freeway will also allow the incorporation of safer frontage roads, better overall road design, and improved interchanges and entrance and exit ramps. Widening the freeway to eight lanes from the Wisconsin/Illinois border to Milwaukee is necessary to safely and efficiently accommodate the anticipated future increases in traffic congestion. 

Can I still get to General Mitchell International Airport? What route should I take?

Yes. Although access restrictions to/from Airport Spur (Highway 119) will be in place, motorists can still get to General Mitchell International Airport by following signed detour routes. Be sure to plan ahead and allow yourself extra time to get to the airport.

You can view information about any current or planned future closures of the Airport Spur (Highway 119) by visiting the Airport Spur Closures Tab.

An alternate route map to get to General Mitchell International Airport can be found here.

For information on flight schedules, visit General Mitchell International Airport's website at www.mitchellairport.com.

How can I get a job working on the project?

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not hire construction workers directly; WisDOT awards construction contracts to the lowest bidding prime contractor, who hires their own employees.

The current prime contractors on the I-94 N-S Freeway project are listed below (this does not include sub-contractors) (updated 12/30/2010):

• Edgerton Contractors 
• Michels Corporation
• Lunda Construction

R/K TrANS (Racine/Kenosha Transportation Alliance for New Solutions) is an industry-driven training model sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation I-94 N-S Freeway project to address the shortage of workers in highway construction. The goal of R/K TrANS is to serve the needs of highway construction contractors who primarily work on WisDOT projects by ensuring a seamless supply of entry-level laborers and qualified apprentices. The training provider for R/K TrANS is First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship Training (a program of Human Capital Development Corp. Inc). The program does not guarantee a job, but a graduate of the program will be added to WisDOT's Civil Rights Compliance System (CRCS) database for contractors to use when looking to hire employess. To enroll or receive more information contact the First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship Training at:

1437 Marquette Street
Racine, WI 53404
(262) 633-3285

Please visit the sites below for more job-opportunity information

www.recovery.wisconsin.gov

www.jobcenterofwisconsin.com

www.dwd.state.wi.us/recovery

What tools are available to help my business in/near a construction zone survive this construction?

Through communication and cooperation, businesses can not only survive, but thrive, when road construction comes to town.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) recognizes that businesses located in work zones have special needs. It's critical that customers have access to businesses and that they continue to visit them, regardless of any road work inconvenience.

"In This Together" is a WisDOT program aimed at businesses affected by road construction. Visit the In This Together program's website at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/engrserv/itt/index.htm for ideas and examples of how businesses can not only survive, but thrive, during a construction project. The program includes a workbook and case studies that demonstrate techniques that have been successfully used in communities throughout Wisconsin. This program is offered to business and community leaders as an idea source as they plan for road construction in their area.

The I-94 N-S Freeway Project has project specific tools available that we can customize for your business. These include directions sheets, brochures, and coordinating signage. Examples are available in the Business Toolkit page under the resources tab of this website.

Contact the project team either through the website contact form or by calling the project hotline at (262) 548-8721 for additional information.

Where can I find information about construction projects & travel conditions outside of the I-94 N-S Fwy Project limits?

Visit WisDOT's website at www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects and select your county or region to see local plans, studies or projects.

You may also visit www.511wi.gov or call 5-1-1 for Wisconsin statewide travel Information.

Where can I find how a certain interchange will look when construction is complete?

Visit the Map of Improvements page and select an interchange on the graphic to view a PDF of the final design.

There is construction happening near my property, what should I expect?

Residents living near construction may experience an increase in construction vehicles, dust, and noise in their area. Additional lighting is also often brought on-site during nighttime operations. WisDOT monitors contractors closely to ensure they are using dust control measures.

Residents living near the construction site are reminded to keep off the construction site for safety purposes and be watchful of pets and small children.

If you have a specific question about construction activity near your property, call the project hotline at (262)548-8721.

Why will construction on this project take till 2021?

The I-94 North-South Freeway Project is very complex. Not only will WisDOT reconstruct and expand 35 miles of I-94, but frontage roads in Racine and Kenosha counties will also be reconstructed and moved. In addition, 17 interchanges will be reconstructed along with a major system-to-system interchange (the Mitchell Interchange) which will create three tunnels in order to keep traffic open and moving during construction. Work on the mainline of I-94 will take place in phases, so that the entire 35 miles will not be under construction at the same time.