WIS 24 (Forest Home Avenue) project scheduled to start June 22 in Milwaukee County

June 22, 2009

As part of his ongoing “Grow Wisconsin” initiative to invest in Wisconsin’s infrastructure and stimulate our state’s economy, Governor Jim Doyle has approved a $14.8 million project to improve 5.3 miles of WIS 24 (Forest Home Avenue) from US 45 to 45th Street in Milwaukee County. Construction is scheduled to begin the week of June 22, 2009.

Payne and Dolan, Inc. is the prime contractor for the project. Crews will resurface the existing roadway and bridge structures, and improve the signalized intersections along Forest Home Avenue to include new signals and street lighting, longer left turn lanes and upgraded pedestrian accommodations. The exit ramp from Forest Home Avenue to Layton Avenue will also be closed permanently as part of the project with access to Layton Avenue from the 76th Street exit.

Construction of the project will be staged so that at least one lane of traffic is open in each direction at all times. Left turn lanes will be provided at the signalized intersections. The westbound off-ramp from I-43 to Forest Home Avenue will be temporarily closed and detoured via 76th Street, Layton Avenue and 84th Street from approximately July through September 2009.  Parking along Forest Home Avenue will be restricted during construction.  Temporary lane closures on I-43 will be required for the bridge construction and painting, however, these lane closures will only be allowed during off-peak hours. All of the work will be completed in 2009 with the exception of the bridge painting, which will be completed in 2010.

80 percent of the project will be paid with federal transportation funding; the remaining 20 percent will be paid with state transportation funds. The project also includes local funding for sidewalk and parking.

For more information, contact:
Dennis A. Shook, Regional Communications Manager
(414) 750-2395, dennis.shook@dot.wi.gov