94 North-South Freeway Project

Frequently asked questions

What interchanges have to be reconstructed yet and when are they expected to be completed?

Most interchanges in Milwaukee and Kenosha counties will be reconstructed by the end of 2013. The list of completed interchanges are listed along with the list of future interchanges and their expected completion dates:

Milwaukee County

27th Street                                              Airport Spur

Mitchell Interchange                              College Avenue

Layton Avenue                                        Drexel Avenue

Rawson Avenue - 2013*                      Ryan Road - 2014*

Elm Road - 2017*

Racine County

7 Mile Road - 2019*                            WIS 20 - 2014*

County G                                               WIS 11 - 2020*

County K - 2021*                                 County KR - 2018*

Kenosha County

County E - 2016*                                 WIS 50 - 2013*

WIS 142 - 2014*                                   County C

WIS 158 - 2013*

*approximate completion date

What is the best route to take to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC)?

Please check the Zoo Interchange Project website for lane/ramp closures that may require an alternate route to access the MRMC: www.zoointerchange.wi.gov.

How do I find out about informational meetings of construction in my neighborhood?

Information about construction activities can be found on the I-94  North-South Freeway Project's website: www.plan94.org. If you would like to learn more or attend a public information meeting, you can contact the I-94 North-South Project Team by leaving a comment on their Comments Page.

What will be done about noise, dust and dirt?

Those residents living near a work zone will experience an increase in construction vehicles, dirt/dust and noise throughout the project. WisDOT monitors the contractors closely to ensure they are utilizing dirt and dust control measures. Drilling and boring are usually kept to during daylight hours to help reduce the amount of noise during nighttime hours, however, there will still be some noise that may occur during the hours of 9:00pm and 5:00am.

Where can I check closures and detour routes?

All closures can be found on the I-94 North-South Freeway Project website: www.plan94.org under the "Closures" tab. The closures are populated into the website through WisDOT's Lane Closure System (LCS). The closure's start and end time, highway, type and description are all provided so you can safely plan your trip.

Project articles are posted on the website to inform the public of current and upcoming lane and ramp closures. If any work requires a fill freeway closure, lane closure and/or ramp closure, detour routes are posted with the article to assist the public with avoiding the construction. Under the "Newsroom" heading on the Home Page, select the project that you are looking for information. The updated information will provide the ramp/lanes that are closed and detour routes to get around the construction.

How will construction affect access to my business?

Throughout construction, access to all businesses will be maintained. Certain lane or road closures may require a driveway or sidewalk to be closed, but there will always be a way for vehicles and pedestrians to access businesses in the construction work zones.

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. 

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.

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.