Crashes Prompt Changes on I-94 in Western Wisconsin

It has been a tough week on Interstate 94 in St. Croix County, Wisconsin.  After two crashes that left two dead, and two more critically hurt, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is making changes.

On Monday, an eastbound semi slowed for congestion just east of Hudson.  A sport utility vehicle carrying four teens slammed into the back of it.  Two teens were killed.  A third was critically hurt.

On Tuesday, a car traveling eastbound near Baldwin crossed into the westbound lanes, slamming into an oncoming semi.  The driver of that car was critically hurt.

Both crashes happened not far from a major construction project re-configuring the interchange with Highway 65.

On Thursday, WisDOT announced plans to make the construction zone safer.

"WisDOT will put up additional signage to warn of potential backups in both the east and westbound lanes," said an agency spokesperson.  "State Patrol will step up enforcement in the area as well."

"Rear-end collisions are the most frequent type of crash in a work zone," said State Patrol Commander Jeff Frenette.  "Motorists need to be prepared to slow down and/or stop in work zones.  That means keeping your eyes on the road at all times."

The I-94 / Highway 65 project is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

Also on Thursday, WisDOT announced it had counted a total of 68 traffic fatalities in the month of July.  That's nine more deaths than occurred in July of 2011.