Work begins on expanding I-43 between Grafton and Milwaukee

GRAFTON — Work has begun on the Interstate 43 North-South Reconstruction Project in Ozaukee and Milwaukee counties.
Motorists may have noticed orange construction barrels along I-43 between Grafton and the Bayshore Town Center in Glendale. The barrels popped up last month when prep work started for the 14-mile project. Construction is expected to be completed in 2024 when the interstate will expand to six lanes from four lanes.
The I-43 North-South Freeway is among the busiest routes in Wisconsin and is a critical Interstate link between southeast Wisconsin and the entire state. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has maintained and rehabilitated the ramps, bridges, pavements and other structures on I-43 for 50 years. According to officials, this stretch of freeway has exceeded its design life and is no longer economical to maintain.
The project includes the expansion of I-43 from four to six lanes, the reconstruction of five existing interchanges along the corridor, and the replacement of the Union Pacific railroad bridge over I-43 in Glendale near the Bayshore Town Center. The project also includes the expansion of a section of Port Washington Road in Glendale from two lanes to four lanes. During construction, the project will work to keep two lanes open in each direction.
A new interchange will be constructed near Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon.
Motorists may have also noticed work between Bayshore and Capitol Drive in Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has begun reconstructing 1.5 miles of I-43 between Capitol Drive and north of Hampton Avenue. The work will address poor bridge and pavement conditions and related geometric, safety and traffic needs.