WisDOT plans 400 highway projects in 2026

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As the construction season approaches, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced it plans 400 highway projects this year.

That includes continuing landmark projects such as the Interstate 41 expansion between Appleton and De Pere, the I-94 expansion in Milwaukee County and work on the I-39/90/94 bridges over the Wisconsin River in Columbia County.

These projects will modernize the state’s transportation system, enhance safety for drivers and spur economic growth across the state, WisDOT officials said.

“As our teams get ready for another robust construction season, the safety of crews, industry partners and the traveling public remains our top priority,” said Kristina Boardman, the state transportation secretary, in a statement. “With construction projects planned in every county of the state, we urge motorists to plan ahead, know before you go with 511 Wisconsin, and always drive with caution in work zones.”

I-41 between Appleton and De Pere

Construction work is ongoing this year for the I-41 expansion between Appleton and De Pere, a multi-year project that will widen the highway from four to six lanes. In March, Brownsville-based Michels Road & Stone Inc. was awarded a contract worth $95.3 million to work between North Lynndale Drive and Meade Street in Outagamie County.

I-94 East-West

Work on the $1.74 billion I-94 expansion project continued between 70th Street and 16th Street in Milwaukee. The 27th Street bridge has been demolished and will be rebuilt. Drivers have noticed lane closures, lane shifts and closed ramps near the work zone, which can be reduced to one lane during accidents. The latest phase, the Early East Segment, kicked off in February.

The 3.5-mile project, including a new baseball stadium interchange, is expected to be completed in 2033.

I-39/90/94 bridges over Wisconsin River

Orange barrels were also present on the I-39/90/94 bridges over the Wisconsin River between Madison and Wisconsin Dells. The project zone is around three miles, starting around one mile north of County Road U and around one mile south of County Road V in Columbia County.

Crews will replace the existing bridges over the Wisconsin River and reconstruct around two miles of highway to accommodate the new bridge locations. WisDOT is coordinating with boaters and the state wildlife agency as new bridges go up.

Dallas-based Jacobs won multiple design contracts on a future overhaul of the I-39/90/94 corridor. The project is expected to reach nearly $5 billion, based on 2024 estimates.

I-41 in Milwaukee County

The reconstruction of I-41 in Milwaukee County has entered its final year, WisDOT officials said. Waukesha-based Zignego Co. is working on the second leg of the project worth $29 million. The roadbuilder will resurface around five miles of existing pavement between West Burleigh Street and Good Hope Road.

Traffic impacts include long-term lane closures between Burleigh Street and Good Hope Road, ramp closures and overnight work, WisDOT officials said. The project is expected to be completed in late 2026.

Wisconsin Highway 21 between Omro and Oshkosh

Work will begin in April to reconstruct Wisconsin Highway 21 between Omro and Oshkosh in Winnebago County, officials said. The highway will be closed and detoured until November 2026.

Greenville-based Northeast Asphalt Inc. was awarded a contract worth more than $11.8 million to work on WIS 21, according to the Wisconsin Project Center.

The project will improve 8.8 miles of highway and is needed to address safety issues at multiple intersections, replace crumbling pavement and build ADA-compliant curb ramps in Omro, WisDOT officials said.

Additional projects include:

• Resurfacing project on I-43 in Sheboygan County, creating lane and ramp restrictions through November 2026.
• Work on I-94 bridges over the St. Croix River near Hudson. Lane closures and slowdowns are expected.
• A culvert replacement project at Beaver Dam Lake, closing US 63 near Cumberland in Barron County. Traffic will be detoured to three nearby highways.
• Reconstruction of US 51 between Stoughton and McFarland in Dane County. Lane closures are expected.
• Reconstruction of US 8 between WIS 47 and Oneida County G in the Rhinelander area. Additionally, roundabouts will be built at the intersections between US 8 and WIS 17 and County G.
• A pavement repair project on the US 51 and WIS 29 corridors near Wausau in the summer.

WisDOT encourages drivers to slow down and drive safely through work zones. The agency advised motorists to follow the posted speed limits, put the phone down, use the zipper merge and move over or slow down for road crews.

Jimmy Nesbitt, freelance writer for The Daily Reporter, contributed to this article.