Waukesha - Drivers can expect significant delays when the resurfacing project on I-94 in Waukesha County begins next month, but expanded bus service between Waukesha and Milwaukee counties could help ease congestion.
The state Department of Transportation is providing $431,715, the full cost, so Waukesha's county and city's transit provider, Wisconsin Coach Lines, can expand some existing freeway bus routes and add new service to the Milwaukee County Medical Complex and the Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
To keep traffic moving, at least 40% of the current drivers have to get off I-94, either by taking different routes or by riding the bus, said Andy Smieja, project engineer for the Department of Transportation.
For vehicles, logical alternate routes include Blue Mound Road (U.S. Highway 18) and Greenfield Ave. (state Highway 59).
Bob Johnson, Waukesha transit coordinator, said about half the employees in the Milwaukee County Medical Complex live in Waukesha County, and that's why entirely new bus service is proposed for that destination. Additional buses will be provided on existing routes between downtown Waukesha and downtown Milwaukee, including routes to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. More freeway buses from western Waukesha County to downtown Milwaukee also will be provided.
The project involves resurfacing I-94 from state Highway 16 to the Waukesha-Milwaukee county line - a distance of about 10 miles - and a 2.5-mile stretch between N. 70th St. and N. 32nd St. in Milwaukee County.
Both the eastbound and westbound lanes in Waukesha County will be repaved at the same time, with at least one lane closed in each direction starting March 1 until the end of June.
In Milwaukee County, only the westbound lanes will be resurfaced this year, with eastbound lanes done next year. One lane will be closed on the Milwaukee County stretch from March 1 until the end of June.
Some night work might be done with temporary closings after June, Smieja said. However, the intent is to have lanes open in time for Summerfest traffic.
Several communities will get money to help make adjustments for traffic changes as a result of the project.
In addition to the transit money for Waukesha County bus service, $150,000 for materials, supplies and county staff time is being provided to the county.
The state is providing money to other agencies for such things as traffic signal changes on surface streets, modest intersection improvements and policing, transportation officials said.
The stretch of I-94 between N. 70th St. and 124th St., the county line, is not being resurfaced now because it will be affected when the Zoo Interchange is rebuilt.
Waukesha Metro Transit route information is available at (262) 524-3636 or through Wisconsin Coach Lines at (262) 542-8861. Information updates on the I-94 paving project are available on the Web at www.repave94.org or through a hotline at (262) 548-8721.