On Thursday evening, the southbound lanes of I-94 near College Avenue were closed due to a semitrailer catching fire, as reported by the Milwaukee https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2026/01/15/part-of-i-94-southbound-at-layton-avenue-closed-due-to-semi-fire/88207084007/County Sheriff's Office; the incident led to the temporary shutdown of the interstate as fire crews and deputies worked to address the emergency, as reported by jsonline.com.
The fire, which erupted on the I-94 southbound College Avenue spur, prompted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to caution drivers that the I-41/94 SB system ramp from Layton Avenue would also be closed, an estimated two-hour disruption caused by the need for space for the Milwaukee Fire Department and sheriff's office response teams, the occurrence taking place around 8:15 p.m according to a statement obtained by jsonline.com.
All occupants of the semi were confirmed to have exited the vehicle safely, with no injuries reported as per the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office; meanwhile, drivers were being diverted away from the closure, officials urging the use of alternate routes while the situation was being managed, FOX6Now noted traffic disruption continued past 9:20 p.m.
The fiery incident on the I-94 not only caused immediate traffic congestion but also posed a challenge to commuters trying to navigate the temporary closure, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office deploying deputies to reroute traffic, ensure public safety, and assist the fire department in extinguishing the fire which engulfed the semitrailer, halting the steady hum of the nighttime freeway according to WISN.
