Wisconsin drivers that are traveling over the holiday weekend will have once less thing to worry about -- road construction work.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is asking contractors to temporarily halt construction work on many highway improvement projects across the state, in order to accommodate the heavy traffic expected over the Memorial Day weekend.
Construction in most highway work zones will stop by noon on Friday, May 26 and will resume at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30, WisDOT says.
While workers will open as many highway lanes as possible, motorists should still allow extra travel time and expect slower traffic in work zones and along major highway corridors, WisDOT says. AAA of Wisconsin expects some 700,000 state residents will travel 50 miles or more on state roadways over the holiday weekend.
WisDOT is expecting peak travel times over the weekend to occur:
- On Friday, May 26 from noon to 8 p.m.
- On Monday, May 29 from noon to 8 p.m.
Transportation safety officials note that higher traffic volumes and speeds often generate more traffic-related deaths and injuries. During last year’s Memorial Day weekend in Wisconsin, 10 people lost their lives in traffic-related crashes.
Significant road construction projects that may affect highway travel in southeast Wisconsin during the Memorial Day weekend include:
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Zoo Interchange project in Milwaukee County:
- Work continues with a new traffic pattern in place.
- Closures include the system ramp from I-94 westbound to I-41/894 southbound.
- Access to I-94 westbound is restricted at 84th Street.
- The ramp remains open for traffic going to I-41 northbound.
- Various other on and off ramps remain under construction with detours posted to get motorists around the closures.
-
I-41 over the Kohlsville River in Washington County:
- This strech of freeway has a unique traffic pattern in place.
- To maximize traffic flow in the area, both lanes of I-41 southbound are open to traffic with one lane crossing over to the northbound roadway and the other remaining on the southbound roadway.
- Those looking to access the County D exit ramp from I-41 southbound should stay in the right lane. Both northbound lanes are open to traffic. This traffic pattern will remain in place until late June.
-
WIS 142 (Bushnell Road) near the city of Burlington:
- This will have a roadway closure to through traffic between WIS 11/36/83 and downtown Burlington that may impact travel for Chocolate Fest over the holiday weekend.
- Motorists are encouraged to use the signed detour route along Durand Avenue/State Street and WIS 11/36/83 to get around the closure.
-
WIS 175 in Washington County:
- Full closure from just north of County Q to just south of County F and from just north of WIS 167 (Holy Hill Road) to WIS 60.
- Detour involves use of I-41, accessing at WIS 60 or County Y (Lannon Road).
-
US 45 in Kenosha County:
- Full closure from the IL/WI state line to north of County C.
- Detour involves use of I-41, accessing at WIS 50 or IL 173.
For a full list of road construction projects, visit WisDOT's website.
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