MRMC Zoo Interchange Project
Weekly Traffic Restrictions by Route/Destination – Week of January 20th.
Try one of the new Alternative Transportation Program options! Staff shuttles are running to/from State Fair Park & Ride and Burleigh Street Park & Ride. For more information go to: www.mrmccampus.org/alternate-transportation
CAMPUS ALERT: Watertown Plank Road/US45 Ramp Closures Began January 6th!
Please plan ahead and use available resources to determine your best route to campus. Allow extra time for travel as congestion and delays are likely to continue while new traffic patterns are learned.
As of Monday, January 6th, the following long-term road closures are in effect:
o Watertown Plank Road under US45, from Innovation Drive to Discovery Parkway.
o Watertown Plank Road on-ramp to US45 southbound closes;
o The US45 northbound off-ramp to Watertown Plank Road will close.
o Open to Research Park: US45 southbound exit to westbound Watertown Plank Road will remain available until summer 2014.
Available Resources:
The latest information on the long-term closures of Watertown Plank Road and US45 ramps is available to you through several sources:
· Online: www.MRMCcampus.org or through your organization’s intranet
· Email: Check your inbox for the latest construction information from your organization.
· Printed materials: A special Milwaukee Regional Medical Center 2014 Route Guide was mailed to your home.
· Phone: Call 1-800-ZOO-0003 for the best route information.
· Twitter: Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information: @TravelMRMC
· App: “Travel MRMC” app now available on Android and iPhone devices.
Alternatives to Wisconsin Avenue Commuting
While Wisconsin Avenue is the most direct route to campus, not everyone can make their way here on the same road at the same time without causing traffic congestion. As a reminder, Watertown Plank Road remains open and accessible from Discovery Boulevard to the east. If you normally access campus via Wisconsin Avenue, try one of these options instead:
· Swan Boulevard: Swan Boulevard is open and delay-free. Swan serves as a vital link to our campus. Access to Swan Boulevard is available from Watertown Plank Road just east of Hwy 100 and from North Avenue.
· Discovery Parkway: Discovery Parkway is open and connects Watertown Plank Road (just west of 92nd Street) to Swan Boulevard. From Swan Boulevard, Discovery Parkway flow freely onto Watertown Plank Road eastbound with no traffic signals or stop signs. Likewise, westbound Watertown Plank Road traffic will flow freely onto northbound Discovery Parkway without traffic signals or stop signs.
· Hwy 100: Hwy 100 is fully open between North Avenue and Bluemound Road, including additional through lanes and multiple intersection turn lanes. As an alternative to taking Wisconsin Avenue to campus, take Hwy 100 to Watertown Plank Road east - it doesn’t close until just east of Discovery Parkway/Innovation Drive. Turn north onto Swan Boulevard to south Discovery Parkway which free flows onto east Watertown Plank Road.
Wisconsin Avenue driving: Wisconsin Avenue has become the front door to the organizations on our campus. Please pay close attention to traffic signal heads, road markings, and signs that designate traffic patterns, specifically:
· Two lanes of traffic – designated by pavement markings, overhead signs and a flashing electronic sign – may turn left onto north 92nd Street from Wisconsin Avenue eastbound. Only one lane of traffic continues eastbound. Watch your lane.
· From US45 north to Wisconsin Avenue eastbound, two right turn only lanes are available. Only traffic in the right-hand turn lane may turn right on red. All other lanes must wait for the green signal before proceeding. Please stay in your lane.
Wisconsin Avenue Parking Restrictions: New parking restrictions are in effect on Wisconsin Avenue between 92nd Street and 87th Street to assist with traffic flow. Parking will no longer be allowed between 6:00 – 8:30am and 3:30 – 6:00pm, Monday – Friday.
Bus Route 31 Changes Effective 1/5/2014
Route 31 (State – Highland) has new detours in place along Watertown Plank Road between 92nd Street and Innovation Drive/Swan Boulevard. Look for the blue flags which designate the bus stop location. New schedules are available on www.RideMCTS.com.
Fare-free Route:
Pedestrians needing to travel on Watertown Plank Road between 92nd Street and Innovation Drive/Swan Boulevard will not be required to pay a fare when boarding a Route 31 bus from 92nd Street or Watertown Plank Road at Innovation Drive/Swan Boulevard. If a transfer is requested the passenger must pay full fare. Please watch for signs in the area.
Other Campus Restrictions:
87th Street: A two-week utility work project is underway on 87th Street just south of Watertown Plank Road. Expect changing traffic patterns as they move from the south to the north end of their work zone.
92nd Street: Rescheduled to late January, a three-week utility project will occur on 92nd Street just north of Connell Avenue. Traffic will be switched to one side of the roadway and turn lanes may become restricted. Access to all organizations will be available but delays may occur.
I94 Full Closure Alert:
There will be a full overnight closure of I94 westbound at Hwy 100 Thursday, Jan. 23 (10:00pm – 5:00am). As a result, the Zoo Interchange south-to-west and north-to-west ramps will also close.
Travel from the North:
Allow extra time and be prepared for delays on US45 due to the ramp closures and Watertown Plank Road closures. Try accessing campus via North Avenue to Swan Boulevard to Discovery Parkway.
Other specific closures include:
· US45 southbound will have two lanes closed from Swan Boulevard to Wisconsin Avenue on Wednesday night. (Contingency plan is Thursday night)
Travel from the South:
Allow extra time and be prepared for delays for travel from US45 northbound to Wisconsin Avenue due to the US45 ramp closures and Watertown Plank Road closures.
Other specific closures include:
· The Greenfield Avenue entrance ramp to I894/US45 northbound will have daytime lane closures throughout the week.
Travel from the East:
Allow extra time and be prepared for travel delays from US45 northbound to Wisconsin Avenue due to the US45 ramp closures and Watertown Plank Road closures. From I94 west, try accessing campus via 84th or 68th Streets north to Wisconsin Avenue west.
Other specific closures include:
· Only long-term closures are in effect
Travel from the West:
Due to the Watertown Plank Road exit ramp closures, please allow extra time for travel to campus. From I94, try exiting on Moorland Road north to Bluemound Road east to Hwy 100. Take Hwy 100 north to Watertown Plank Road east to Swan Boulevard and south on Discovery Parkway.
Other specific closures include:
· See I94 Full Closure Alert notice above
· The Hwy 100 entrance ramp to I94 westbound will fully close overnight (9pm-5:30am) on Thursday to set up a traffic switch.
· The Swan Boulevard and Underwood Parkway roundabout will be closed on Thursday during the day to install light poles. Access to Discovery Parkway from Swan Boulevard is not affected by this closure. (Contingency plan is Friday night)
Look-Ahead:
· Early February: Schlinger Avenue will close long-term between 76th Street and 84th Street.
· March: The 76th Street exit ramp from I94 will close and the 84th Street ramps will reopen.
· April: US45 southbound exit ramp to Watertown Plank Road will fully close.