WISCONSIN (WBAY) – Crashes along the I-41 expansion project’s construction zones are on the rise in 2026, according to new numbers shared with Action 2 News by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
As the I-41 project continues to ramp up, data is beginning to show an increase in work zone crashes between north Appleton and De Pere.
DOT points to driver complacency, larger work zone
“What happens in these long term, multi-year projects is people get complacent, they continue to drive a commuter route day after day after day, so that’s where things can literally change from the morning time to the evening time,” said Josh Falk, traffic engineer with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Comparing the first eight months of 2025 to the same stretch this year, work zone crashes on I-41 increased 15%. Falk said a contributing factor is a larger body of work in 2026…