Economic development, Wisconsin Highway Improvement Program, Region Examples

Dane County: East Washington Avenue (US 151) is one of the more popular gateways to downtown Madison. It hosts numerous business establishments, and serves hundreds of drivers daily. However, the road is in poor condition and in need of widening to accommodate the increasing number of drivers. To enhance the driving experiences for locals and visitors, promote tourism and economic development, and improve access and traffic flow for local businesses, there will be reconstruction, landscaping and streetscaping of East Washington Avenue, from Blair Street and Thierer Road. The project is planned for 2004 to 2009, and includes replacing existing pavement and bridges, adding a bike lane, installing special light fixtures, and improving pedestrian crossings.

Grant County: US 151, from Dickeyville to Belmont, has been reconstructed from a two-lane rural to a four-lane divided expressway. Bypasses will be constructed in one city and in one village. These projects will promote economic development by improving access for businesses and improving traffic flow to many area tourist sites. The long-term cost savings include preservation of an unrecorded mound group and wayside mining sites, mitigation of archaeology sites and floodways, and relocation of streams in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources. Furthermore, a new bikeway will also promote efficient use of alternative modes of transportation.

Southeast Region

Milwaukee County: The Milwaukee Intermodal station is an important transportation and economic development link in the Milwaukee area. Nearly 420,000 Amtrak passengers per year use the facility to make connections to local and regional buses, county transit, taxis and their cars as they move throughout the region for business or tourism. A new station will redefine and redevelop the existing rail station to include accommodations for city and inter-city bus services. The project will improve functionality, aesthetics and expand retail services of station.

Northeast Region

Fond du Lac County: US 151 is a major east-west arterial route through Fond du Lac County. The now completed roadway project is an essential commercial and agricultural transportation corridor serving the Midwest. The bypass, in addition to reconstruction work on US 151 from WIS 26 to US 41, promises to spur economic development. The bypass consists of a newly constructed 8.1-mile highway from US 41 south of Fond du Lac to Peebles. The plan includes a number of elements.

Constructing a four-lane divided highway from US 41 to WIS 23,
Limiting access to public roads with at-grade intersections,
Constructing a two-lane highway from WIS 23 to the existing US 151, just north of US 149 (the two lanes will be constructed within the right of way to ultimately accommodate four lanes),
Building an overpass to carry US 45 traffic over the US 151 bypass with connector roads to provide access between US 151 and US 45,
Constructing a diamond interchange and an overpass on US 151 to carry traffic over WIS 23, and
Adding a recreation trail along the entire route of the bypass that will connect the Wild Goose trail at Martin Road and the WIS 149 trail in Peebles.

The bypass will help ease truck congestion through the City of Fond du Lac, and lead to a safer and more efficient roadway. Mark Klipstein, the project manager, has been integral in helping the community during construction and has been praised by the County Highway Commissioner and businesses in the area.

Outagamie County: US 41 is a popular channel for many trucks to carry their goods. The removal of a low bridge that was hit multiple times will make truckers’ experiences safer and easier. The plan includes a replacement of the structure carrying County A over US 41 and also to widen and to improve County A approach roadways.

Winnebago County: WIS 110 is a major north-south route through east central Wisconsin for both business and tourist traffic. Traffic averages approximately 11,000 vehicles per day. This capacity expansion project will develop this route into a four-lane divided expressway with at-grade intersections and restricted private access. The project begins at US 41 near Oshkosh and extends 7.8 miles northwest to one half mile north of Winnebago County G. The facility is being upgraded to serve existing and projected traffic volumes, meet physical and operational standards, improve efficiency, and contribute to improved regional economic development.

North Central Region

Marathon County: US 51/WIS 29 currently serves 56,000 vehicles daily and it is expected to exceed 115,000 by 2030. To maintain an efficient traffic flow, US 59/WIS 29 between Foxglove Road and Bridge Street will be expanded from the existing four-lane to a six-lane divided highway. A few interchanges will also be modified and additional lanes will be added between closely spaced interchanges. This project will promote economic development in the Wausau metropolitan area by reducing traffic congestion, shortening travel times, and improving access to area businesses.

Oneida County: US 8 in Rhinelander was regraded and two lanes were added in each direction. This project was needed due to industries located in the area along with additional through traffic on US 8. Several Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grants were already processed for businesses in this area. The improvements to US 8 will allow for these businesses to continue to grow and thrive, along with the Oneida County Airport.

Forest County: US 8 in the city of Crandon underwent complete reconstruction that involves a new storm sewer, sidewalks, curbs and gutters. The city was very involved during the design stages of the project and elected to replace all sanitary sewers, water lines and lighting along the project. WisDOT and the City of Crandon worked together on the construction detour issues, business development during construction, and final project details. As part of the work downtown, Crandon became a Main Street Community, fostering continued growth, cooperation and partnerships among Crandon’s downtown businesses.

Northwest Region

Douglas County: The Ellis Avenue Improvement Project consisted of resurfacing the existing roadway from 16th Street to 6th Street and reconstructing the roadway from 6th Street to US 2 in the city of Ashland. The project completed in the fall of 2001. The reconstruction included installing a new storm sewer, open-graded base course, sidewalks, curb and gutter, street lighting and a PCC pavement. New traffic signals, decorative street lighting and colored crosswalks also added to the improvement project. Since the project completed, there were substantial economic development in the immediate area: investments to the Northland College campus and a local restaurant, establishments of a new Probation and Parole office, a new office complex for job services and a telephone company, and a new bank building. The improvements proved to be quite successful!

St. Croix County: A 3R (resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation) project reconstructed the old WIS 65 from a two- to a four-lane urban facility on the south side of New Richmond. It will extend four lanes towards the interchange connection with I-94. The project improves economic development by serving the rapidly developing commercial and industrial areas on the south side of the city.

For additional information, see WisDOT's Highway Improvement Program Web page.

Aerial photo of US 151

US Highway 151

Additional information about the Highway Improvement Program