As part of the Interstate-94 East-West Project, the 27th Street Bridge has closed until at least late 2026, affecting commutes for some near Marquette University.
Following the closure, which began Feb. 2, the commute to Marquette may be slightly more complicated over the course of the long-term I-94 construction. The bridge, which is close to Marquette’s campus, is relied upon for entering the westbound expressway.
Projected to last eight years, construction on the main expressway in and out of the city has already caused significant disruptions.
The 16th Street viaduct, spanning from West Clybourn Street to West Pierce Street, has been closed since December to receive necessary repairs. Both of these structures — on 16th and 27th Streets — are vital to highway travel. The closure forces drivers to use either the Sixth Street or 35th Street Bridges, over a mile away from each other, to travel in the north and south directions.
Robert Bauman, City Alderman for the 4th District in which Marquette exists, expressed his dissatisfaction with the project in a press release published Jan. 27. He noted that an average of 22,000 vehicles use the 27th Street Bridge every week, all of which are now constrained to using alternative routes.
“The current closure plan is unacceptable, and I am calling for a delay on the closure of the 27th Street viaduct until the 16th Street viaduct is back open,” Bauman said.
He referred to the construction project as “a dysfunction” and a “nightmare” that will “make life miserable” for the thousands of commuters who travel daily from the north and south sides of the city.
Additionally, the I-94 project will cost Milwaukee $1.7 billion.
There has also been a long-term closure of the eastbound exit to 26th Street and St. Paul Avenue that will last through summer 2026. The combination of these closures is expected to cause gridlocked traffic on various east-west roads, including Wisconsin and St. Paul Avenues, Bauman said.
Current detours include using Wisconsin Avenue, 35th Street or Greenfield Avenue for the 27th Street closure, as well as the eastbound exits at 13th Street or 35th Street.
Construction on the I-94 East-West project is expected to last through 2033, with other closures occurring in phases as the project continues. Marquette students may be dealing with traffic backups and longer commute times for years to come.
This story was written by Lilly Peacock. She can be reached at [email protected].
