Economic development, Corridors 2020 Highway Plan - Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Corridors 2020 is a part of WisDOT’s long-range highway improvement plan designed to provide essential links to key employment and population centers throughout the state. As part of the planning process, Wisconsin’s highways were classified based on operational and economic factors. Gaps in the system were identified and improvements scheduled. Since the plan was created in the late 1980’s, about 900 miles of new highways have been built to accommodate the network’s needs.

The plan’s goal is to complete all backbone improvements, which will connect all communities with a population of 5,000 or more to the state highway system by the year 2005. To date, the majority of the improvements have been completed on schedule. WisDOT is in the process of updating the plan to project the state’s needs through 2030.

Role of Corridors 2020 in economic development

Corridors 2020 supports economic development as the highway system assists the state in meeting its intercity mobility needs. These connections are important for the movement of goods and services within the state and other market areas outside the state of Wisconsin. Corridors 2020 helps create a positive safe and traveling environment allowing business, industry, agriculture, and tourism to expand in the state.

Case Study

WisDOT conducted a study that evaluated new and expanded manufacturing plant locations in the state from 1990 to 2001. The results revealed that these new or expanding industrial firms created over 80,000 jobs in Wisconsin; 90% of these jobs are located within 4 miles of a Corridors 2020 highway, which illustrates the importance of the highway system.

For more information about Corridors 2020, or the Corridors 2030 update, contact Aileen Switzer.

Corridors 2020 Map (600 KB)