Some I-94 work delayed due to weather, cement shortage

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Updated 2014-11-26

MOUNT PLEASANT — Cold weather and a cement shortage has pushed back work on the Highway 20 interchange reconstruction project.

The state Department of Transportation plans to continue work on the project during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with an end date not yet determined. The state has said it would wrap up this year’s construction in late fall, before shifting work to the west side of the interchange next year.

Lane closures will remain in effect over the holiday, DOT spokesman Brian DeNeve said. Traffic on northbound (west) I-94 has shifted west to what is normally I-94 southbound.

Crews are also rebuilding the Highway C bridge over Interstate 94 as part of the project.

DeNeve said cold temperatures this month delayed crews from completing paving work. Some paving may be done Friday and Saturday, weather permitting.

The DOT also has faced issues with cement delivery, he said.

“Earlier there had been issues with cement delivery, causing the schedule to be pushed back slightly,” DeNeve said. “Although the cement supply is better now, the early freezing is hindering some of the work.”

Executives in the commercial construction industry say there has been a serious shortage of concrete this year in large part because cement, a key component of concrete, has been scarce.

In southeastern Wisconsin, they cite road building, large projects such as the Amazon distribution center in Kenosha County and a general increase in commercial construction as all driving the need. Meanwhile, the supply has fallen short and made completing projects on time difficult.

The Highway 20 interchange reconstruction is costing the state $23.4 million. The work is part of the estimated $1.6 billion north-south freeway project stretching from Mitchell International Airport to the Illinois state border that will last until 2021.

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