Mitchell Interchange
| Mitchell Interchange | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| Milwaukee | |
| Coordinates | 42°57′43″N 87°56′06″W / 42.9620°N 87.93493°W |
| Roads at junction | |
| Construction | |
| Type | Semi-directional Y interchange |
| Maintained by | WisDOT |
The Mitchell Interchange is a major interchange on the south side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for Interstate 41 (I-41), U.S. Highway 41 (US 41), I-43, I-94, and I-894. It is named for its proximity to General Mitchell International Airport.
History
The Interchange originally opened in the 1960s.[1] Its original design consisted of seven roadway bridges.[2] In 2009 a complete reconstruction of the interchange began as part of WisDOT's I-94 North-South Reconstruction Program.[3] The reconstruction was completed in November 2012.[4] Several former movements changed after completion. Northbound I-94 to westbound I-894/I-43 changed from a left-hand exit bridge to a right-hand exit tunnel under I-94. Collector-distributor lanes were added along both sides of I-94 from College Avenue to South 13th Street. The movement from eastbound I-894/I-41/I-43 to northbound I-94/I-43 also changed from a left-hand exit to a right-hand exit before Wisconsin Highway 241 (WIS 241). This ramp is also a tunnel under I-94. The reconstruction was named as one of Roads & Bridges magazine's top ten projects of 2012.[5]
Reconstruction
Contracts for preparation work were awarded in 2009 and 2010. The contract for the interchange itself was awarded in the summer of 2010. The main feature of the new interchange design was three tunnels. All three were build using the cut and cover top down-method. Secant pile drilled shafts were used to build walls into the ground. These walls acted as braces while the area in between them was excavated to form the tunnel. A roof was then built between the walls, making them permanent side walls of the tunnels.[3] In order to maintain traffic flow, the tunnels were built in sections. After completion of a section, a roadway was relocated over it to make space for the next section to be built. Other work on the project included the construction thirteen new bridges and installation of retaining walls. The fast pace of the project required work to be done seven days a week.[6]
Features
The primary features of the reconstructed interchange are three tunnels. The use of tunnels instead of bridges was chosen because it reduced the height of the interchange, allowed for fewer closures, and reduced the cost of the reconstruction project by $10 million.[2] The tunnels feature an advanced lighting system. The brightness of the lights is adjusted based on the conditions outside to give drivers a smooth transition in and out of the tunnels.[1] There are standpipes to aid in firefighting inside the tunnels. The tunnels measure 585 feet, 744 feet, and 650 feet in length.[3]
Designations
The control cities at the interchange are Downtown Milwaukee to the north, Chicago to the south and a combination of Beloit, Madison and Fond du Lac to the west. Since I-41 was signed in 2015, it goes from I-94/US 41 north to I-894 west at Mitchell Interchange; US 41 follows I-41.[7]
References
- ^ a b "Light Control for Milwaukee Interchange Tunnels". Tunnel Talk. March 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Mitchell Interchange". HNTB. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ a b c "Risk Mitigation Strategies for Cut and Cover Tunnels at the Mitchell Interchange" (PDF). Malcolm Drilling. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ Byman, Jon. "Parts of the Mitchell Interchange to Close for Construction". WTMJ. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
- ^ "Mitchell Interchange Reconstruction Makes Top 10 Roads List". Collins Engineers. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Mitchell Interchange". Lunda Construction Co. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ Srubas, Paul (April 9, 2015). "US 41 Named Officially to Interstate Highway System". Green Bay Press Gazette.