Ahead of Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) reminds drivers to plan ahead and be patient on Wisconsin roads and in work zones across the state. According to AAA, more than 744,000 people will travel on Wisconsin roads this holiday weekend. Peak travel times are expected from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday (May 21), between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday (May 22) and from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, May 25. Motorists can “know before you go” with 511 Wisconsin – online at 511wi.gov or download the free 511 WI app – to view traffic speeds, locations of roadwork, stream live traffic video, and be informed about potential delays on your route.

“Safety on our roads is something we all create together,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “Every choice – slowing down, putting the phone away, watching for workers and other drivers – adds up to safer travel for everyone. This Memorial Day weekend, we can honor that shared responsibility by looking out for one another and doing our part behind the wheel.”

Most road construction will pause over the holiday weekend to open as many lanes as possible. Significant road construction projects that may impact Memorial Day weekend travel include:

North Central Wisconsin

  • Lincoln County: WIS 17 is closed between Lincoln County G and Norwegian Road near Merrill. Traffic is detoured via WIS 64, US 51, and WIS 17.
  • Marathon County: WIS 29 is restricted to a single lane in each direction between WIS 97 and WIS 107 in Athens. The WIS 97 interchange is closed. WIS 97 traffic is detoured via WIS 29, WIS 13, WIS 153, and WIS 64.
  • Marathon County: WIS 29 is restricted to a single lane in each direction between Marathon County D and Marathon County OO near Wittenburg.
  • Marathon County: WIS 29 is restricted to a single lane in each direction between Marathon County Q and Bass Lake Road in Ringle.
  • Oneida County: US 8 is closed between WIS 47 and WIS 17 North in Rhinelander. Traffic is detoured via Kemp Street, Arbutus Street, Pelham Street, Courtney Street, Lincoln Street, and WIS 17.
  • Shawano County: WIS 29 is restricted to a single lane in each direction between Shawano County J and Spruce Road near Hatley.
  • Shawano County: WIS 29 is restricted to a single lane in each direction between Shawano County M and South Highline Road near Hatley.
  • Waupaca County: US 45 is closed between Givens Road and Church Road in New London. Traffic is detoured via US 10 and WIS 22.
  • Waupaca and Shawano counties: US 45 is restricted to a single lane in each direction between Waupaca County C and Gollnow Road near Marion.
  • Wood and Portage counties: WIS 13/34 is closed between Rudolph and US 10. Traffic is detoured via WIS 66, I-39, and US 10.

Northeast Wisconsin

  • Brown and Outagamie counties: Two lanes are open each way on I-41 between Appleton and Green Bay. Watch for lane shifts and reduced speed limits.
  • Calumet County: WIS 55, just south of County E in Stockbridge, is closed to traffic. Traffic is detoured via WIS 32/57 and US 151.
  • Oconto County: WIS 22 is closed through the city of Gillett. A signed detour directs WIS 22 traffic to use County R and County H.
  • Outagamie County: WIS 47/Richmond Street over I-41 in Appleton is closed to traffic. Interchange ramps will remain open for right turns off/on the interstate.
  • Outagamie County: WIS 76 from Everglade Road to County JJ and the WIS 76/County JJ intersection is closed in the village of Greenville. Traffic is detoured via WIS 15 and County JJ.
  • Winnebago County: WIS 21 is closed to through traffic between Omro and Oshkosh. Traffic is detoured via WIS 116, US 45 and I-41.

Northwest Wisconsin

  • Barron County: US 53 South between Cameron and Chetek is reduced to a single lane of traffic at three bridge locations. Watch for reduced speed limits.
  • Barron County: US 63 is closed in the city of Cumberland at Beaver Dam Lake. Traffic is being detoured via WIS 48, US 53 and WIS 70.
  • Bayfield County: US 2 is restricted to a single lane of traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals at the North Fish Creek Bridge southwest of the US 2 and WIS 13 intersection.
  • Dunn County: WIS 85 is closed to through traffic from County O to Fuller Road southwest of Eau Claire. Traffic is being detoured via WIS 37 and US 10.
  • Eau Claire County: I-94 between the US 53 interchange and Mallard Road southwest of Eau Claire is open to two lanes of traffic each way. Watch for reduced speed limits and temporary eastbound traffic lanes in a portion of the work zone.
  • Pierce County: US 10 is restricted to a single lane of traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals southeast of Ellsworth.
  • St. Croix County: I-94 on the St. Croix River bridges between Hudson and Lakeland, Minn., is open to three lanes of eastbound traffic and one lane of westbound traffic on the eastbound St. Croix River Bridge and one lane of westbound traffic on the westbound structure. The traffic split for westbound traffic begins near the 11th Street overpass. Watch for reduced speed limits.
  • St. Croix County: Eastbound I-94 traffic is operating on temporary traffic lanes before and after 100th Street and Kinney Road between Hudson and Roberts. Watch for a reduced speed limit on the eastbound lanes.
  • St. Croix County: US 12 is closed at the bridge over the Union Pacific railroad tracks east of Hudson. Traffic is being detoured via WIS 65, I-94 and US 12.

Southeast Wisconsin

  • Milwaukee County: Motorists can expect lane closures and various ramp closures along I-94, between 70th Street and 25th Street. I-94 will remain open to at least two lanes in each direction along the corridor. Expect slower traffic in this area.
  • Milwaukee County: Motorists can expect various ramp and lane closures along I-41, between Burleigh Street and Good Hope Road. I-41 will remain open to at least two lanes in each direction. Expect slower traffic in this area.
  • Milwaukee County: One lane is closed on I-43 southbound, between Good Hope Road and Silver Spring Drive. Two lanes of southbound I-43 remain open in this corridor.
  • Milwaukee County: The I-43 and Becher Street interchange is closed. Motorists are encouraged to use the nearby Lapham Boulevard interchange.
  • Waukesha County: The I-43 Rock Freeway, between WIS 83 and WIS 164, is reduced to one lane in each direction.
  • Waukesha County: WIS 59, between County X (Saylesville Road) and WIS 67, is closed to through traffic. Posted detour follows WIS 67 and US 18.
  • Walworth/Waukesha County: WIS 67, between US 12 and WIS 59 is closed to through traffic. Traffic should follow the posted detour via US 12 and WIS 59.
  • Washington County: The WIS 60 entrance ramp to I-41 southbound is closed. Motorists are encouraged to use WIS 164 and WIS 167 (Holy Hill Road) to bypass this closure.

Southwest Wisconsin

  • Columbia County: Three lanes open in each direction on the I-39/90/94 bridge over the Wisconsin River, south of Portage. Watch for lane shifts and reduced speed limits.
  • Dane County: I-39/90 in Madison is open to three lanes in each direction. Watch for reduced speed limits.
  • Jefferson County: Watch for reduced speed limits at the I-94 and WIS 26 interchange in Johnson Creek. The Johnson Creek park and ride lot remains open.
  • Monroe County: Two lanes are open each way at the I-90/94 interchange near Tomah.

Do your part to keep work zones safe

Motorists should always be prepared to encounter traffic changes when approaching work zones including reduced speed limits, lane shifts and slow or stopped traffic. To keep everyone safe, drivers must:

  • Buckle Up, Phone Down – every trip, every time. Encourage family, friends and co-workers to take the pledge.
  • Leave the phone alone. Texting while driving is illegal statewide and using a hand-held mobile device is prohibited in work zones.
  • Follow posted speed limits. Fines double in work zones.
  • Do the zipper merge to keep traffic moving during lane restrictions.
  • Move over or slow down. Give space to crews to safely do their work.
    • State law includes police and fire vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks, highway maintenance and disabled vehicles. In addition, state law restricts the use of a cell phone in areas surrounding those vehicles.
  • Steer It, Clear It! State law requires drivers to move vehicles involved in a crash out of traffic if no one is hurt and the vehicles can be moved safely. If someone is hurt or the vehicle is disabled, drivers should not risk injury by trying to push the vehicle out of traffic.
  • Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

Visit WisDOT’s work zone safety webpage for more tips and information.

Travel info on Wisconsin highways

Wisconsinites and visitors are encouraged to “know before you go” and access real-time information on travel conditions, live traffic cameras, work zones and incidents across Wisconsin:

Alerts and updates provided via these sites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, your focus should always be on the road ahead.

Motorists may encounter the WisDOT Safety Patrol, sponsored by GEICO, along sections of I-41 in Brown and Outagamie counties, I-41 and I-94 in Milwaukee County, I-39/90/94 in Columbia County and eastbound I-94 in Monroe County. The fleet of specially equipped vehicles help manage highway incidents within major construction work zones to keep everyone safe. Coverage hours vary, but most coverage is seven days per week, up to 14 hours per day. Learn more about the WisDOT Safety Patrol.

Most Wisconsin safety rest areas are open and these facilities offer restrooms, amenities and a break from travel. The safety rest areas along I-43 near Denmark and Maribel in northeast Wisconsin are closed for reconstruction. View the interactive map of WisDOT’s roadside facilities.

DMV’s holiday hours and convenient online service 24/7

Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV) customer service centers will be closed on Memorial Day. DMVs with Saturday hours will be closed on Saturday, May 23. DMV online service is open 24/7 at wisconsindmv.gov.

Travelers may want to consider adding emergency contact information to their license data. Visit wisconsindmv.gov/emergencycontact for the convenient online self-service application. Only law enforcement can access the information and help expedite contact to a family member or other loved one more quickly in the event of an emergency.