PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — A project years in the making is underway; with it’s completion date still years away.
The I-41 Project is reconstructing and expanding 23 miles of I-41 from WIS 96 (Wisconsin Avenue) in Appleton and County F (Scheuring Road) in De Dere, from four lanes to six lanes. Interchanges throughout the segment will be reconstructed and numerous overpasses will be replaced.
The goal of the project is to increase capacity and improve safety.
“When you have the two cities of Appleton and Green Bay, and a lot of people that commute back and fourth each day, that has created a lot of congestion especially during peak hours,” said Eric Gwidt, I-41 project manager with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. “There’s a lot of growth and development happening in northeast Wisconsin too, so that’s driving the increase in traffic.”
Construction for the project began this year, and next year has lots more in store.
“Starting in 2026 and beyond we’re going to be doing a lot more on I-41 itself, like reconstructing the actual highway,” said Gwidt. “Whereas this year we’ve been concentrating on the bridges that go over the highway.”
Gwidt noted that currently I-41 has a high crash potential, and adding more lanes will alleviate those incidents. That’s a positive for both travelers and law enforcement.
“By reducing those accidents, then you reduce the time that police and fire have to be out on the highway, so they’re now not exposed to those dangers, which will be a huge benefit for emergency responders.”
There are also economic benefits to the project.
“Since it connects Appleton and Green Bay; that’s a common route,” said Gwidt. “And when we talk about freight movement, they can move back and fourth more efficiently and that’s better for them.”
The project is expected to wrap up near the end of 2029, with some finishing touches extending into 2030.
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