Wisconsin Zoo Interchange North Leg Project

GOOD NEWS: Swan Blvd over I-41 reopened this morning.

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ICYMI: Sean Race discusses the recent closure of Swan Blvd over I-41 and upcoming overnight operations in the Zoo Interchange North Leg.

Zoo Interchange North Leg Project: Overnight closures next week Sean Race with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation joins FOX6 WakeUp with a look at upcoming construction.

PROJECT UPDATE: as Spring 2024 weather improves we will be finalizing what Winter 2023 did not allow us to finish. See info below regarding a closure and some repairs on the Swan Blvd bridge over I-41.

AWARD WINNER: On World Engineering Day, we’re reflecting on the zoo interchange, an engineering accomplishment that’s making travel more efficient in southeast Wisconsin.

The Zoo Interchange is one of the busiest interchanges in the state and is a critical hub for commerce and tourism. The final segment of the project was the North leg, along US 45 between Swan Boulevard and Burleigh Street in Milwaukee County. The project expanded nearly two miles of highway from three to four lanes in each direction, as well as reconstructed the North Avenue interchange. The project lasted three full construction seasons, making management of interim traffic patterns critical to the long-term success of the project.

The Zoo Interchange North Leg project recently won the Large Contract award at WisDOT’s 2023 Excellence in Construction Awards. Read about all the award-winning projects here: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/news-rel/012224-2023ConstructionAwards.aspx

PHOTO UPDATE: in Spring 2021 the Zoo Int North Leg began the intricate reconstruction of a new UPRR bridge over I-41. Work began by building a temporary UPRR bridge over I-41 to maintain train traffic so the new UPRR bridge could be demolished and rebuilt. Long-term lane closures and weekend full closures were needed on I-41 for some of the more complicated operations. In January 2023 train traffic was switched to the new UPRR bridge and demolish of the temporary bridge began. Check out a few of these progress pictures.

PHOTO UPDATE: in Spring 2021 the Zoo Int North Leg began by temporarily widening I-41 SB over Mayfair Rd & Underwood Parkway. In Fall 2023 we opened the reconstructed/widened I-41 NB/SB lanes between Swan Blvd and Burleigh St. Check out a few of these progress pictures.

PROJECT UPDATE: we have coordinated efforts with Milwaukee County Parks regarding the continued closure and future plans for Underwood Creek Parkway under I-41. Go here for all the info:

https://www.mkecountyparks.org/underwood-creek-parkway-redesign

ICYMI: the Zoo Interchange North Leg celebrated the completion of the Zoo Interchange program with a Ribbon Cutting Event on Thursday, Nov 9th.

We still have some final pieces of work to complete with overnight lane/ramp closures, but we are getting really close!

“As one of the busiest interchanges in the state, the Zoo interchange is a critical hub for commerce and tourism throughout Wisconsin,” said WisDOT Secretary Thompson at the ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 9. “Together we are delivering safe and reliable access to neighborhoods and businesses, and providing quality infrastructure to efficiently move goods and services to reach all corners of Wisconsin.”

The 1.7-mile North Leg is the final segment to complete the interchange. The project expanded I-41 to eight lanes from Swan Boulevard to Burleigh Street in Wauwatosa. Crews also reconstructed the Burleigh Street and North Avenue interchanges, replaced and built bridges, and built several retaining walls and noise barriers along the interstate corridor.

The project, which began in 2021, finishes $200 million under budget. Read more: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/news-rel/110923-zoointerchange.aspx

PROJECT UPDATE: I-41 NB pavement repair work scheduled for Saturday. Check out the details here.

OPEN!

ICYMI: Sean Race joined FOX 6 Wake Up to discuss the exciting Zoo Interchange North Leg lane/ramp openings!

Zoo Interchange project milestones; what you need to know Jason Roselle with the Wisconsin DOT joins FOX6 WakeUp with the details.

PROJECT UPDATE: We are excited to announce the reopening of the North Ave entrance & exit ramps at I-41 by Mon, Nov 6th! I-41 NB & SB will also open to 4 lanes south of Burleigh St. 🎉🎉🎉

PHOTO UPDATE: Meinecke Ave is almost the midpoint of the Zoo Int North Leg's work zone. Meinecke Ave bridge reconstruction (and the reconstruction of 112th & 113th St) occurred in 2021. Check out the progress in this area over the last 3 year.

ICYMI: Jason Roselle joined FOX 6 Wake Up to discuss the approaching completion of the Zoo Int North Leg project

https://www.fox6now.com/news/zoo-interchange-construction-updates-what-you-need-to-know

PHOTO UPDATE: check out these photos of the construction of the I-41 bridge over Mayfair Rd, Underwood Creek, a railroad, and Underwood Parkway.

Note the new Mayfair Rd exit ramp bridge in the November 2022 and September 2023 pictures. This new design allows pedestrians, using the east sidewalk of Mayfair Rd, to walk under I-41 instead of crossing the exit ramp itself.

PHOTO UPDATE: the construction of the UPRR bridge over I-41 was a large and complex feature of the Zoo Int North Leg project. Check out a few progress snapshots of the UPRR bridge construction (along with the construction of I-41 at the same time).

IT'S HAPPENING! The Burleigh St ramps at I-41 reopen Saturday!

GREAT NEWS! The I-41 SB pavement repairs have been completed and we will be opening the I-41 SB lane closure at Burleigh St before Friday morning! Thank you for your patience.

PROJECT UPDATE: Starting Saturday I-41 SB will be reduced to 2 lanes at Burleigh St to repair damaged pavement caused by an unrelated utility project. See details here:

UPDATE: the left lane is now closed on I-41 SB at Burleigh St as we continue to do pavement repairs.

We anticipate the lane to remain closed until this weekend.

PROJECT UPDATE: Starting Saturday I-41 SB will be reduced to 2 lanes at Burleigh St to repair damaged pavement caused by an unrelated utility project. See details here:

UPDATE: Pavement repair in the right lanes is complete and I-41 SB was reopened to 3 lanes at Burleigh St this morning!

NOTE: As weather allows, I-41 SB will be reduced to 2 lanes again later this week to finish the pavement repair in the left lanes. Stay tuned!

PROJECT UPDATE: Starting Saturday I-41 SB will be reduced to 2 lanes at Burleigh St to repair damaged pavement caused by an unrelated utility project. See details here:

PROJECT UPDATE: Starting Saturday I-41 SB will be reduced to 2 lanes at Burleigh St to repair damaged pavement caused by an unrelated utility project. See details here:

HEADS UP: I-41 North exit to Burleigh Street to close October 2.

Big News! I-41 South traffic was shifted onto their new lanes between Burleigh St and Watertown Plank Rd this morning! We are one step closer to project completion this Fall!

ADJACENT PROJECT INFO: a repair project on the Hampton Ave bridge over I-41 North is scheduled to start next week. Check out the info!

PHOTO UPDATE: work continues as we build the barrier wall along I-41.

We are building the barrier wall along the right side of I-41 SB and also the walls that will separate I-41 NB & SB traffic when this project is complete.

PHOTO UPDATE: concrete work continues as we pave the future I-41 SB roadway between Burleigh St and Swan Blvd.

PHOTO UPDATE: Work is progressing well. There is a lot of concrete work happening on the future I-41 SB lanes, bridges, and other structures.

PHOTO UPDATE: last week we poured the bridge deck for the I-41 SB bridge exit to North Avenue eastbound. This was the last bridge deck pour on the Zoo Int North Leg project!

PHOTO UPDATE: last week we poured the bridge deck for the I-41 SB bridge over North Ave. The bridge deck for the I-41 SB exit to North Avenue eastbound is scheduled to be poured next week.