Westbrook Takes Part in Designing the Largest Highway Project in State History

March 2004 - Westbrook Associated Engineers, Inc. (WAE) has been selected by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Marquette Interchange Team to design four unique and challenging temporary bridges for the Marquette Interchange Project.  The WAE design team must overcome the obstacles of existing traffic, existing utilities, access to local businesses, and an accelerated construction schedule. Mr. Andy Knutson, P.E. of WAE says, “this is the largest highway project in state history and is scheduled to be completed by 2008. It will be a push for everyone to finish the project on time.”  This project includes major planning from engineers and contractors throughout the state, and may bring in national companies to compete in the bidding process.

After 35 years of service, $810 million will be spent on rebuilding the deteriorating interchange between I-94, I-794 and I-43 to dramatically improve safety and ease of driving.  Currently the crash rate in this area is two to seven times higher than the statewide average. Also, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines 56 of the 152 bridges are rated “intolerable” or “minimally intolerable”. 

Considered the cornerstone of southeast Wisconsin’s freeway system, the Marquette Interchange was originally opened to traffic on December 23, 1968. The interchange is the key access point for downtown Milwaukee and the major hub for freight movements in the region and state.

Most of the area freeways intersect at the interchange, which links about one-third of the states freeway traffic to the rest of the country.  The freeway system currently handles some 300,000 vehicles daily, compared to the 1960’s design made to handle 150,000 vehicles daily.  The 2005 forecast predicts 375,000 vehicles will travel it each day.

Westbrook Associated Engineers, Inc. was chosen for this project due to their expertise in construction engineering.  Since becoming a registered corporation in the state of Wisconsin in 1974, Westbrook has worked closely with bridge and heavy civil contractors to solve their engineering needs. 

Existing Interchange