While the Richmond Street overpass over Interstate 41 closed in May, drivers have still had some access to the exit, with northbound drivers able to reach destinations south of the interstate, and southbound drivers able to access those to the north.
That will soon change, with access unavailable until the project nears completion this fall.
The ramps serving I-41’s northbound lanes will close June 29, and the ramps serving the southbound lanes will follow in mid-July, according to an update on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s I-41 project website.
Both are expected to reopen in fall 2026, though it’s too soon to determine an exact opening date. Last year, the neighboring Ballard Road interchange did not reopen until late November.
Additionally, Association Drive, located just north of the interchange, will close permanently June 29 and will be redesigned into a cul-de-sac.
Why is Richmond Street/Interstate 41 interchange closing?
The interchange will reopen as a diverging diamond interchange this fall, matching work already completed at neighboring Northland Avenue and Ballard Road I-41 interchanges.
The work is part of the I-41 expansion project, which will continue through 2030 and reconstruct 23 miles of the interstate between Grand Chute and De Pere.
Upgrades include transforming the mainline from four lanes to six, adding auxiliary and collector-distributor lanes, reconstruction of a number of interchanges, overpasses and underpasses and myriad other quality-of-life improvements.
How do I detour around the Richmond Street bridge closure?
WisDOT’s recommended detour for the project sends drivers either south to Northland Avenue or north to Edgewood Drive, then east in both cases to cross or enter the interstate at Ballard Road.
Other nearby crossings, such as Meade Street in Appleton, or Gillett Street and Lynndale Drive in Grand Chute, lack access to the interstate, and are just over- or underpasses.
How many drivers will the Richmond Street closure affect?
According to WisDOT traffic data, 19,000 drivers per day use the segment of Richmond south of the interchange, with that number falling to 16,900 per day as you near the roundabout at Northland. Meanwhile, 14,400 drivers use the segment of Richmond between the interstate and Edgewood.
Between 5,400 and 7,900 drivers use the on- and off-ramps each day.
As far as detours are concerned, Edgewood ordinarily sees 6,300 to 7,900 drivers between Richmond and Ballard, while Northland sees between 16,700 and 20,700.
What other closures are planned on and around Interstate 41 in the Fox Cities?
The interstate mainline construction in Grand Chute began in early 2025 and will continue through this fall between Wisconsin Avenue and Lynndale. The mainline is also under construction through fall 2027 between Outagamie County JJ and Miners Way on the east side of the Fox Cities. However, it remains accessible to drivers.
Elsewhere:
Closure schedules are subject to change. For more information, visit i41project.wisconsindot.gov
Taima Kern is editor of the Appleton Post-Crescent. Reach her at tkern@usatodayco.com or 920-993-7104.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Key on, off ramps along Interstate 41 in Appleton to close for months
Reporting by Taima Kern, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Taima Kern, Appleton Post-Crescent | USA TODAY Network
