Drivers in Milwaukee County should expect traffic disruptions as WisDOT begins construction of three noise barriers along I-894. The barriers, designed to reduce sound for nearby residents, will be built on the south side of the interstate between 76th Street and Loomis Road.
The project will close the 76th Street entrance ramps to eastbound I-894 and the eastbound exits to 60th Street and Loomis Road at different times. Overnight travelers should expect lane and ramp closures along this stretch.
The construction is scheduled from mid-July 2025 through next summer, weather permitting. Funded with $7 million from the 2023-25 State Budget, the new barriers aim to reduce noise for nearby residents.
The barriers require a noise analysis to determine need and cost-effectiveness. Adjacent property owners expected to benefit from an eight-decibel reduction vote on the project, and construction can proceed only if a majority supports it, according to WisDOT.
WisDOT’s project page includes a FAQ explaining how noise barriers work and how residents can participate. While construction may cause short-term disruptions, the barriers aim to reduce noise for nearby Milwaukee residents, who have a direct say in the project.
