March 14, 2025

By Lane Kimble

The selling point of expanding and rebuilding I-43 north of Milwaukee–one of the busiest routes in the state–was a safer, smoother ride.

As that huge project nears completion, the safety aspect appears to be right on the money.

Preliminary data from WisDOT and project engineer HNTB show the 12-week crash average along the 14-mile stretch between Silver Spring Drive and Highway 60 dropped 30% between Oct. 31, 2024 and Jan. 23, 2025 compared to the same time frame before construction began.

The one-month crash total during January 2025 (the first month under full reconfiguration) also fell by 50%.

Meanwhile, average speeds show traffic is flowing smoothly along the newly expanded road, both in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties.

Construction began in 2021 and is scheduled to wrap up by this summer.

WTBA member companies Hoffman Construction, Michels Road & Stone, and Zignego, along with many subcontractors, have done the lion’s share of the I-43 construction work.

Zignego and Zenith Tech (Walbec Group) worked with WTBA Director of Government Affairs Elise Nelson to give an all-access tour to the work zone in 2024.

WTBA also featured part of the northern leg with Michels in 2023.