I-43 Pavement Repair - Brown County

I-43 between I-41 and WIS 172

Project Overview

WORK BEGINS OCTOBER 5, 2026. to improve 7.8 miles of I-43 from WIS 172 in the village of Bellevue to I-41 in the city of Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin. This is a two-year project with most work scheduled for 2027. However, the contractor will begin work on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, with pavement patching between Leo Frigo Bridge and the I-43/WIS 57/54 interchange.

Expect delays during lane closures at peak travel periods.

Current traffic impacts: 

  • There will be lane closures on I-43 between I-41 and WIS 54/57 starting October 5, 2026.
  • There will be a FULL CLOSURE of the southbound I-43 on-ramp from Atkinson Drive from October 5, 2026 to November 2026.
    • Detour: Signed detour directs motorist to use Atkinson Drive to US 141 to Broadway Ave. to Walnut Street to Monroe Ave. (STH 57) to Webster Ave. back to I-43.

Note: Most work will take place in 2027.

Project location
The project is located on I-43 between WIS 172 and I-41 in Brown County and includes all interchange ramps.

Project’s purpose and need
The purpose of the project is to extend the life of the existing pavement and associated deteriorating drainage structures, upgrade the existing guardrail, and install median cable guard.

Proposed improvements
This is a maintenance-level project. Proposed improvements include:

  • Pavement repairs and resurfacing along the I-43 mainline and all interchange on and off ramps.
  • Replace guardrail
  • Install median cable guard on I-43 between Atkinson Drive and the Leo Frigo Bridge
  • Install median cable guard on I-43 between the Leo Frigo Bridge and the WIS 54/57 systems interchange
  • Repair deteriorated culvert pipes
  • Pavement marking

Schedule

  •  Pavement patching will start on Oct. 5, 2026, with most work taking place in 2027/20208.
    • 2026 work is at the discretion of the Prime Contractor after the project is let in 2026.

Anticipated benefits

This $25.8 million maintenance project will deliver lasting improvements to 7.8 miles of I-43 between WIS 172 in the Village of Bellevue and I-41 in the City of Green Bay. Key benefits include:

  • Enhanced safety for all motorists — Replacement of existing beam guard, installation of new median cable guard in two critical segments (Atkinson Drive to the Leo Frigo Bridge and the Leo Frigo Bridge to the WIS 54/57 systems interchange), and fresh pavement markings will significantly reduce the risk of crossover crashes, run-off-the-road incidents, and nighttime or adverse-weather accidents. These upgrades create stronger physical barriers and clearer lane delineation on a high-volume interstate corridor.
  • Smoother, quieter, and more reliable travel — Comprehensive pavement repairs and full resurfacing of the I-43 mainline plus all interchange on- and off-ramps will eliminate deteriorated sections, reduce roughness, and improve ride quality for passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, and emergency responders.
  • Extended pavement service life — By addressing current distress and applying a new surface course now, the project will prolong the life of the existing roadway structure for many years, deferring the need for more extensive and costly reconstruction.
  • Improved drainage and infrastructure durability — Repair of deteriorated culvert pipes will restore proper stormwater conveyance, reduce the risk of pavement undermining or flooding-related damage, and help protect the long-term integrity of the roadway embankment and shoulders.
  • Lower long-term maintenance costs and fewer disruptions — Proactive preservation of the pavement, guardrail systems, and drainage features will decrease the frequency and severity of future emergency repairs, resulting in fewer work zones and less inconvenience for the traveling public in the years ahead.

Overall, these improvements will make this section of I-43 safer, more resilient, and more efficient while maximizing the value of the existing infrastructure investment.

full closures at I-43

Traffic Impacts

2026

  • There will be lane closures on I-43 between I-41 and WIS 54/57 starting October 5, 2026.
    • Minor delays are possible during peak travel periods.
  • There will be a FULL CLOSURE of the southbound I-43 on-ramp from Atkinson Drive from October 5, 2026, to November 2026.
    • Detour: Signed detour directs motorist to use Atkinson Drive to US 141 to Broadway Ave. to Walnut Street to Monroe Ave. (STH 57) to Webster Ave. back to I-43.

2027/2028: There will be numerous off-peak, single, and multiple lane closures on I-43. Expect delays during peak travel periods. There will be four FULL CLOSURES of I-43 on four separate weekends.

  • Short-term ramp closures may be needed for pavement repair and beam guard replacement.
  • If longer-term lane or ramp closures are needed for structure work, detour routes will be signed.
  • Traffic impacts will be announced on this 511 project website during construction.
  • One direction of I-43 will be closed over four weekends (Friday 9 p.m. to Monday 6 a.m.) between April and June 2027.

The detour for I-43 during these closures will be WIS 172 to I-41 to I-43 to WIS 54/57.

Real estate
No right-of-way acquisition is anticipated as part of this project.

Business Resource: WisDOT’s In This Together program
WisDOT recognizes businesses located in work zones or impacted by detour routes have special needs. WisDOT’s In This Together program is offered to business, organizations and community leaders as an idea source as they plan for road construction in their area. It includes promotional examples, case studies and a specially designed Business Coordination Guide with information on:

  • Planning ahead
  • Keeping customers informed
  • Tips for businesses
  • Temporary business signing during construction
    • Businesses impacted by highway closures and detours will have an opportunity for temporary business signage during construction.
  • Visit WisDOT’s In This Together website

Questions/comments

This project has a dedicated Project Construction Leader (PCL) and field office. For all construction related questions, please contact the PCL. For historical design informaiton, please contact the WisDOT Project Manager below.

Project Construction Leader No phones in work zones generic signage

Chad Dercks
Email: cdercks@mcmgrp.com
Phone: 920-277-8924

WisDOT Project Manager

Brian Haen, P.E., Project Manager
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
944 Vanderperren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304
Phone: 920-366-4788
Brian.Haen@dot.wi.gov