Milwaukee commuters received an unwelcome New Year’s gift today as a key stretch of Hawley Road closed indefinitely, marking the latest chapter in Wisconsin’s sprawling $1.7 billion I-94 East-West reconstruction.
The closure, effective January 5, 2026, will keep the road blocked from the south side of Park Hill Avenue to the north side of Hawley Court until late 2028.
This shutdown promises smoother highways eventually, but for now, it adds another layer to the growing maze of detours plaguing local drivers. Nearby businesses brace for quieter parking lots, while residents ponder whether their daily routes just doubled in length.
The impact on daily commutes could turn routine errands into minor odysseys. With multiple I-94 ramps already gone for good, drivers might find themselves mastering creative navigation apps just to grab groceries.
Local shops along the corridor whisper concerns about fewer impulse stops. One auto parts owner noted that convenience was their edge—now testing whether customers will detour for a spark plug.
The West Leg Segment of the I-94 project targets reconstruction west of General Mitchell Boulevard.
Crews plan to rebuild the Hawley Road interchange as a half-interchange, eliminating some ramps while keeping western access.
Weather permitting, work wraps in late 2028, though Wisconsin winters have a habit of extending deadlines. Access remains for residents and businesses in the closed section—a small mercy amid the barriers.
Current long-term closures include the General Mitchell Boulevard entrance to westbound I-94. The eastbound exit to General Mitchell Boulevard stays shut too. The 68th Street entrance to eastbound I-94 joins the list.
Eastbound drivers no longer exit at Hawley Road. The Hawley entrance to eastbound I-94 is permanently closed. Westbound I-94 narrows to two lanes between the Stadium Interchange and 70th Street. The WIS 175 southbound ramp to westbound I-94 remains blocked long-term.
Some ramps face permanent changes, streamlining flow but erasing familiar shortcuts. Detours route traffic via WIS 175 or nearby streets, turning five-minute jaunts into patient exercises. The full project aims to widen I-94 to eight lanes, modernizing a corridor built in the 1960s.
Daily traffic here tops 170,000 vehicles, explaining the hefty price tag. Improvements include better shoulders and bike-pedestrian paths under the freeway.
Yet commuters today focus less on future perks and more on surviving the present gridlock. For real-time updates, drivers can check the project site.
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