Resurfacing work on WIS 24, better known as Forest Home Avenue, is slated to fire back up the week of March 16, bringing crews and construction barrels back to roughly five miles of roadway from Janesville Road into the city near 45th Street. Drivers can expect single-lane restrictions, short detours and on-and-off closures while crews finish paving, replace traffic signals and repair the 76th Street bridge.
According to the project overview on 511 Wisconsin, the work covers about five miles of Forest Home Avenue between Janesville Road in Hales Corners and 45th Street in Milwaukee and is scheduled to resume in mid March 2026. The site notes that work between 45th Street and Howard Avenue is substantially complete, while the heavier closures will land on the Howard Avenue to Janesville Road stretch. The same page states that construction began in late March 2025 and is expected to wrap up in mid 2026.
What to expect on the road
State transportation officials say traffic will generally be maintained in both directions during most of the work, but the section between Howard Avenue and Janesville Road will see long-term single-lane closures as crews resurface the pavement, install guardrail and update intersections. A WisDOT news release announcing the project last year said the state awarded the work to A.W. Oakes & Son with an initial contract of roughly $13.8 million. Officials are also warning that overnight or short-term ramp closures and pedestrian detours are likely while lighting and restoration work is completed.
Scope and work items
The 511 Wisconsin project page lists several specific upgrades along Forest Home Avenue. Those include resurfacing the roadway, replacing traffic signals at 76th Street, Coldspring Road and 68th Street, improving the 76th Street bridge structure and reconstructing curb ramps so they meet current ADA standards. After paving is finished, crews will handle pavement markings, guardrail installation and localized lighting and restoration. North of Howard Avenue, the project site says only short-term lane closures remain for final lighting and restoration work.
How businesses and neighbors are responding
When construction first kicked off last year, some aldermen and business owners voiced frustration about communication gaps and the timing of no-parking restrictions, arguing that signage and outreach should have been clearer. Local coverage highlighted those concerns and quoted an alderman urging WisDOT to coordinate signage and notifications with the City of Milwaukee so customers could find alternate parking. WisDOT told reporters it viewed the communication lapse as an "unfortunate oversight" and provided a media contact for anyone with questions.
Stay informed
For current lane-closure maps, email alerts and schedules, residents and commuters can sign up through the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works project page or check Milwaukee County's construction updates for details on nearby work. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also published a local write-up when transportation officials announced the March resumption. Riders and businesses along the corridor can contact WisDOT's Southeast communications office for specifics on timing and detours.
