Department of Transportation officials say the long stretch of I-94 closure could be opened to through traffic by the end of this week.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it was beginning a nearly $900,000 emergency construction project for the 4-mile stretch of road between Johnson Creek and Lake Mills.

The construction began early this week and will create two-way traffic (one lane each way) in the normal eastbound lanes, allowing vehicles to crossover and nudge together near the Johnson Creek Outlet Mall and travel for several miles before opening back up to the full interstate near Lake Mills.

The bidirectional traffic lanes will be separated by median wands, while the northern portion of the road – the normal westbound lanes – will remain closed until water recedes.

Plans call for speed limits to slow to 55 miles per hour and even 45 miles per hour in some areas.

City of Oconomowoc - Oconomowoc Police Cheif Dave Beghun announced that the bridge on West Wisconsin Avenue near Lutheran Homes of Oconomowoc has closed down due to high water levels coming from the Oconomowoc River which crosses under the bridge coming from Lac Labelle to the north.

 It is unsure how long the bridge will be closed as it depends on the amount of rain water that may still fall and the openings of dams from other northern communities.

The decision was made after the Department of Transportation met with the Oconomowoc Department of Public Works earlier today.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) will hold a public meeting on its $7.7 million Highway 74 project from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at the Willow Springs Learning Center, W220 N6660 Town Line Road, Menomonee Falls.

The project will reconstruct the highway from Waukesha Avenue and Main Street in Sussex northeast to Good Hope Road in Lannon and just rehab the road from Good Hope Road northeast to Elder Lane in Menomonee Falls, starting Monday, May 5. The contractor, James Peterson Sons Inc. of Sheboygan, is expected to complete work by mid November, weather permitting.

City of Oconomowoc - The Wisconsin Avenue reconstruction will recommence Monday, April 21, announced officials of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Dorner Inc.

The news came during the weekly construction update meeting at the Community Center Wednesday morning.

To catch up on lost time, officials said there will be an acceleration of the work schedule meaning crews will work 15 to 16 hours a day on a seven day work week.

Expectations are to complete the stretch of road from Fowler Street to Main Street in time for the Festival of the Arts Aug. 16 and 17.

The remaining stretches of road will then follow.

The original completion date was scheduled for Sep.1 in most areas.