Governor Doyle Announces Marquette Interchange Will Open Months Early and Under Budget
MILWAUKEE - Governor Jim Doyle today announced all freeway lanes and ramps on the Marquette Interchange would open by the end of August, months earlier than scheduled, and total project costs will stay under budget.
"The Marquette Interchange project is the largest transportation construction project in state history and we are getting it done early and under budget. This is great news for Wisconsin taxpayers and the traveling public," Governor Doyle said. "The city of Milwaukee is the center for culture and commerce in Wisconsin, and this key piece of infrastructure is an important addition to a thriving downtown."
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation broke ground on the project less than four years ago and since then, under the leadership of Governor Doyle, has achieved or exceeded numerous project goals, including:
Continued movement of traffic during construction, keeping two through lanes open in all directions during peak periods.
·Reconstructing an interchange that fit into the community with many artistic, historic and cultural features literally built into the project.
·Continued focus on minority contracting and labor participation, committing more than $120 million to women and minority-owned consultants and contractors and hiring 1,000 minority workers to fill about 21 percent of all work hours on the project.
Enhancing public infrastructure is part of Governor Doyle's comprehensive strategy to strengthen Milwaukee, the hub of Wisconsin's economy. Linking three Interstate highways and carrying nearly 300,000 vehicles to destinations around the Midwest every day, the Marquette Interchange serves as the gateway to Wisconsin - supporting not only traffic, but economic growth throughout the region.
Complete project and travel information for the Marquette Interchange Project is available online at www.mchange.org
CLICK HERE for current Milwaukee-area travel times. CLICK HERE for a current list of scheduled construction and maintenance projects.
FLOODING CLOSURES: CLICK HERE for a listing of all current flooding closures.
CLICK HERE for a map of all current flooding closures.
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