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RACINE AND KENOSHA COUNTIES - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is encouraging local drivers from Racine and Kenosha Counties to avoid I-94 over the holiday weekend.  The DOT wants drivers to use alternative routes, including frontage roads on both sides of the freeway.

But the request isn't sitting well with many local drivers, including Rob Kazmier of Kenosha. 

"I don't understand why the Wisconsin DOT would request Wisconsites to stay off our own roads," Kazmier said.

But the DOT said I-94 in Racine and Kenosha counties will be packed with Illinois residents heading to their cabins, southern Wisconsin residents also heading north, and Wisconsinites heading south toward the Chicago-area.  Combine the increased traffic with fewer lanes because of construction, and you've got gridlock.

"I don’t think it’s an issue with trying to accommodate the out of state traffic. I think when we have diversion with the locals, traffic on I-94 will perform better," Mark Klipstein of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation said.

But local drivers see it differently.

"I don’t think there are any good side roads," Alan Schaefer of Kenosha said.

We did find one local driver who does plan to stay off I-94 this holiday weekend.  He said Wisconsin residents should do everything they can to bring Illinois tourism dollars into the state.

The Department of Transportation lists alternative routes on their Web site, but said if you plan on driving north on I-94, you may want to consider highways 31, 45, or H.  If you plan on taking I-94 south, alternative routes include highway 31, 45, or U.