Multiyear construction project on I-94 in Eau Claire County to start

Construction in 2024 to include building temporary lanes and resurfacing the I-94/US 53 interchange, approach pavement and interchange ramps

Release date: February 28, 2024

To invest in Wisconsin's transportation system, Gov. Tony Evers has signed a $69.97 million contract with prime contractor Hoffman Construction Co. of Black River Falls for a multiyear improvement project on I-94 from just west of the US 53 interchange in the city of Eau Claire to Mallard Road in the Eau Claire County town of Clear Creek. Construction is scheduled to start Monday, March 4.

To address the condition of the pavement on US 53, US 53/I-94 interchange and I-94 and bridges at County J and County D, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation plans to do the following:

• Remove and replace the pavement on I-94 from Otter Creek to Mallard Road.
• Resurface the shoulders and complete concrete pavement repair on I-94 and collector roads from the western project limits to Otter Creek.
• Resurface the I-94/US 53 interchange, the approaching pavement on US 53 and the interchange ramps.
• Widen the eastbound I-94 bridge over Otter Creek.
• Remove and replace the east- and westbound bridges over County D and County J with structures that meet vertical clearance requirements and are wide enough to handle future four-lane temporary traffic.
• Remove and replace a box culvert near County D.
• Repair storm sewer.
• Place new pavement markings.

Two lanes of traffic for both east- and westbound I-94 will be maintained during construction using temporary widening of median shoulders and the existing bridges.

• Initially, motorists will encounter single-lane closures as crews begin mobilizing for work. In addition, I-94 may be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction during non-peak weekday traffic periods to complete the needed work.
• During periods of extreme congestion or to manage traffic during an emergency incident, I-94 traffic may be directed to use the existing alternate route of US 53 through Foster, Brackett and Eau Claire as an alternate route between County HH and the I-94/US 53 interchange.
• Interchange resurfacing work will be performed during ramp closures during off-peak travel periods/hours.​
  
• Work on I-94 under the interchange will be performed under traffic using mainline lane closures and loop ramp closures with a detour and/or temporary diamond interchange ramp configuration.
• Any temporary diamond interchange work on US 53 will be performed under traffic using lane closures.

Construction is scheduled for completion in November 2026, with work in 2024 wrapping up in mid- to late November.

For more information, visit the project's 511 website: projects.511wi.gov/i94ecc/

Motorists are reminded that using handheld cell phones in Wisconsin work zones is illegal. Alerts and updates provided via these sites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, your focus should always be on driving.