Major Crash Closes I-94 Lanes at US-18 in Waukesha County, Delays Traffic for Hours

A major traffic incident caused the closure of both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-94 at the US-18 junction in Waukesha County. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reported the closure on Friday morning, with the disruption attributed to a serious crash. The event, which transpired at approximately 8:30 a.m., resulted in a substantial traffic backlog lasting around two hours.

Reports indicated the presence of a Flight for Life helicopter at the location of the crash, further underscoring the severity of the incident. Although the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's highway camera footage was initially inaccessible following the event, accounts from various local media sources confirmed the deployment of the medical helicopter.

Evolution of Lane Closures

Initial reports from 511 WI, the organization responsible for monitoring traffic incidents, stated that both westbound lanes were shut down. However, updates provided later in the morning indicated that only the right lane remained closed. Even as late as 10:19 a.m., the right lane for westbound traffic was still restricted, prolonging the residual effects of the crash on the flow of vehicles in the area.

Original Source Insights

The original report on this incident was published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, shedding light on the unfolding events and their repercussions on the affected roadway. The presence of the Flight for Life helicopter served as a poignant reminder of the potential consequences of traffic incidents, prompting ongoing efforts to enhance safety and response measures on the region's highways.