WisDOT Unwraps A Christmas Gift For Holiday Travelers

Motorists have been good this year - or at least since construction closed key freeway ramps in February - and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation plans on putting them on the 'nice' list by reopening the ramp from I-894 eastbound to I-43 northbound in the Mitchell Interchange.

Drivers using the ramp to get downtown from I-894 have had to endure detours since Febraury. However, if you've been used to a left-hand exit, you'll have to change your habits, as the DOT has redesigned the ramp to have a right-hand exit. In addition, the ramp will come up on drivers sooner than before as well, so if you're an indecisive driver, you could pass it by.

"If they miss it, they'll be headed south on I-94," toward Chicago, Ryan Luck, SE Freeways Construction Chief told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Eventually the ramp will have two lanes, but for now will have only one of those open. Overhead signals will aid drivers with red or green "X"s to indicate if a lane is open or not.

By the end of Thursday, two rebuilt onramps from S. 27th St. to I-43 will also be reopened. Those have been closed for about two years. One ramp will take motorists going southbound on 27th to I-43 northbound. The other will take northbound traffic from 27th to either I-43 northbound or I-894 westbound.

The bottom line will be to read the signs early and often as traffic patterns won't be what you're used to, say officials.