Most main highways open for Memorial Day weekend

May 22, 2008

Orange barrels rolled back to open as many lanes as possible

Memorial Day weekend travelers will find few work zones to slow their travels. Most projects on the state's Interstate Highway System will allow at least two lanes in each direction. The Marquette Interchange in downtown Milwaukee has various ramp and lane closures, including the ramp from northbound I-43/I-94 to westbound I-94. Traffic is detoured via local streets. It's recommended that travelers wanting to head west on I-94 from southeast Wisconsin use the I-894 bypass. The only other Interstate with lane restrictions is the I-535 Blatnik Bridge between Superior, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota, with one lane in each direction.

Projects that may impact travel include work on US 12 between Baraboo and Lake Delton; I-43 at Moorland Road in Waukesha County, which has 11-foot width restrictions southbound only; and US 151 between Barneveld and Dodgeville in southwestern Wisconsin, which will have one lane in each direction.

State safety officials remind motorists that they should stay alert, slow down, and allow a safety cushion between vehicles when approaching and driving through work zones. The most frequent crash in a work zone is a rear-ender. Officials note that during the Memorial Day weekend last year, four people were killed in traffic crashes, the fewest on record. On average, Memorial Day weekend crashes claim 11 lives. Law enforcement agencies are hoping to continue the tradition of lower traffic fatalities by participating in the Click It or Ticket mobilization, encouraging motorists to buckle up to protect themselves in the event of a crash.

Among the work zones motorists may encounter during the Memorial Day weekend include (map  ) (599 KB):

1. Marquette Interchange in downtown Milwaukee. Various lane and ramp closures, including the ramp from northbound I-43/I-94 to westbound I-94. For details go to www.mchange.org.
2. I-43 just west of I-894 at Moorland Road. Interchange work requires two 11-foot width restrictions in the southbound lanes.
3. Burlington Bypass. WIS 11 between WIS 36 and WIS 36/83, 8.7 miles. Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction. Several intersections are closed.
4. US 12 between Baraboo and Lake Delton, 4.7 miles. Expect congestion through the work zone.
5. WIS 13 between Big Flats and Rome, Adams County O to D, 4 miles. WIS 13 is open, but has a 9-foot width restriction in each lane.
6. US 10 just west of Marshfield. The Yellow River Bridge is being replaced. Traffic is detoured via WIS 73, and WIS 13.
7. WIS 13 at Abbotsford is open, but has a 10-foot width restriction in each lane through the work zone.
8. US 51/WIS 29 in Wausau, 8 miles. Two lanes open in each direction through the work zone. Detailed information is available at www.5129wausau.com.
9. WIS 76 in Outagamie County between WIS 54 and US 45, 12.5 miles. Highway is closed for bridge repairs and replacement. Detour via WIS 54, US 45 and WIS 76.
10. US 53 from the Chippewa River to Tilden. Traffic is down to one lane in each direction.
11. US 2 in Ashland, one lane of traffic in each direction
12. US 2 from two miles east of Ino to three miles west of US 63, traffic is restricted to a signalized one lane of traffic. Expect delays.
13. Blatnik Bridge/I-535 connecting Superior and Duluth. Down to one lane in each direction with a 12-foot width restriction.
14. US 151/US 18 between Barneveld and Dodgeville. Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction.

For more information, contact:
Michael Goetzman, Office of Public Affairs
608/266-2520, Michael.Goetzman@dot.state.wi.us