Construction to expand W. Drexel Avenue to four lanes is expected to begin Feb. 13 and last through November.

By the time it's done, Drexel from 27th Street to Interstate 94 will be a four-lane divided boulevard that will connect to a new interchange with the interstate. Interchange construction is expected to start around May 1. 

Drexel plans also call for a 10-foot wide multi-use path along the north side, on-street bicycle accommodations, street lighting, additional turn lanes at 27th Street and stoplight modifications, according to the city's website.

The street will be closed to traffic during construction, but properties along Drexel and 20th Street will continue to have access.

For more on the construction and the impact on traffic, click here.

Impact and history

Oak Creek officials have said the expanded Drexel Avenue and new interchange will greatly help efforts to create economic development and jobs, though it will certainly be a huge change for residents in the area.

The interchange is expected to bring new development near the freeway. City officials believe it will also aid efforts to redevelop the former Delphi site, at the corner of Drexel and Howell.

Construction of the Drexel Interchange was approved in May 2010 at the 11th hour, when the Franklin Common Council approved the final $500,000 needed for the project to move forward.

The state is paying for half of the project's cost, estimated to be $12.9 million. Oak Creek is paying the bulk of the local cost ($4.3 million) and Northwestern Mutual, with its large campus nearby on the Franklin side of 27th Street, is paying $1.6 million.

It's believed to be the first new interchange on I-94 since the freeway system was created.