Oak Creek Bracing For Freeway Closure

If you have to drive in Oak Creek on Saturday, best of luck.

With the freeway closing between Rawson Avenue and the Milwaukee-Racine county line at 9 p.m. Friday, local streets will be packed with cars trying to navigate detours until the freeway is reopened at 9 a.m. Sunday.

27th Street, where the state Department of Transportation plans to redirect traffic, will bear the brunt of the closure.

Many motorists stuck in traffic, however, will likely make their own routes. Local and state officials also may begin directing vehicles to streets other than 27th depending on how bad congestion gets, Oak Creek Police Capt. Steve Anderson said.

South of Oak Creek, vehicles could be backed up as far as Highway 20, Caledonia Police Chief Toby Schey said.

Howell Avenue near the airport will also see heavy traffic. The westbound airport spur (Highway 119) will be closed to vehicles exiting the airport; drivers will exit at Howell Avenue and face detours to get to the freeway.

The Oak Creek Police Department will have extra officers on duty helping with traffic control during the freeway closure, Anderson said.

Anderson said the department has worked closely with the DOT throughout the Rawson Interchange project, which got under way in February.

The freeway is closed this weekend so crews can install a storm sewer culvert.