September 2018
Walsh Construction Completes Zoo Interchange Core Improvements in Milwaukee Area
Milwaukee, Wisc. – Walsh Construction has completed the Zoo Interchange Core Phase II highway project, the largest single construction contract in the history of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).
Walsh Construction began work in late 2015; the $310 million mega-project replaced all left-hand system ramps with right hand ramps, extended on and off ramp merge distances and made several safety improvements. The highway was expanded at several points along the route, including expansion from six to eight lanes along I-894/USH45.
The project also required the construction of several bridges along the interchange, including 15 new precast girder bridges, two new plate girder bridges and four new tub girder bridges for system ramps.
Walsh crews performed over 1.1 million cubic yards of excavation, nearly 272,000 square yards of pavement removal, and more than 9,700 tons of structural steel installation.
WisDOT commissioned the Zoo Interchange to increase safety, efficiency and capacity. The project includes over 100 new updated traffic signals and over 700 new LED lights. New dynamic message signs along the interchange will alert drivers of vital travel updates. The project comes at a time when the greater Milwaukee area is experiencing substantial growth; WisDOT estimates that by 2035, 410,000 vehicles will travel the interchange daily, a 17% increase.
