Major I-94 Upgrade Kicks Off in Milwaukee

$1.7 billion project adds lanes, modernizes interchanges, and improves traffic flow.

Oct. 30, 2025

2 min read

Key Takeaways

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is launching an eight-year, $1.7 billion I-94 expansion in Milwaukee, widening the highway from three to four lanes in each direction to improve traffic flow.
The project includes phased interchange reconstruction, such as converting the Stadium Interchange into a diverging diamond, reworking the Hawley Road Interchange, and updating the 68th and 70th Street ramps.
Construction will involve long-term lane closures, detours, and phased work, with the West Leg section starting this year and the full corridor expected to be completed by 2033, enhancing commuter mobility and highway capacity.

Interstate-94 running through Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with views of the city's skyline. — Interstate-94 in Milwaukee, Wis., will undergo a major reconstruction starting next month.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is launching an eight-year infrastructure improvement project to expand a key section of Interstate 94 in Milwaukee starting Nov. 3.

The $1.7 billion highway expansion will widen a 3.5-mile stretch between 16^th and 70^th streets in downtown Milwaukee, increasing capacity from three lanes to four lanes in each direction, according to reporting from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The I-94 East-West corridor expansion project will be executed in phases. The first phase, the “West Leg” section from 70^th Street to Zablocki Drive, is slated for completion in 2028, the outlet reported. Early work will also begin this year at the St. Paul Avenue and 27^th Street intersections east of the Stadium Interchange.

In 2028, construction will start on the “East Leg” section from 35^th Street to 17^th Street, with an expected completion in 2030.

Major Interchange Reconstructions

In addition to the lane expansion, the project will rebuild several critical interchanges.

The Stadium Interchange will be converted into a diverging diamond interchange, with construction expected between 2029 and 2033, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The Hawley Road Interchange will be redesigned as a half-interchange, eliminating eastbound ramps while retaining west access. Other interchanges to be reconstructed include the 68th and 70th Street interchange, according to The Daily Reporter.

Traffic Management During Construction

The I-94 expansion will require long-term lane and interchange closures, according to The Daily Reporter. Single-lane closures in each direction will occur from 70^th Street to Zablocki Drive. The Hawley Road Interchange will experience a long-term closure, along with closures to the southbound State Highway 175 system ramp to westbound I-94 and the 68^th Street ramp to eastbound I-94.

Additionally, a 30-day closure of the southbound WIS 175 exit ramp to Frederick Miller Way will take place, The Daily Reporter shared.

Sources: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Daily Reporter