Public information meeting October 28 for US 12 Freeway Conversion Study in Dane County

October 16, 2008

Please join us on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 for the US 12 Freeway Conversion Study public information meeting. The meeting will follow an open house format with a brief presentation at 8 p.m.

7:30 - 9 p.m. (8 p.m. presentation)
Middleton High School Student Center
2100 Bristol Street, Middleton

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Southwest Region is beginning a planning study of the US 12 corridor located between Parmenter St. interchange north of Middleton to WIS 19 west in the town of Springfield.

As growth and development occur throughout the region and state, WisDOT anticipates that traffic along US 12 will steadily increase. With increased traffic volumes, the functional capacities of existing at-grade intersections will deteriorate leading to decreased safety for the traveling public. The purpose of the study is to conceptualize the conversion of US 12 from the Parmenter interchange to WIS 19 west (town of Springfield) from an expressway to a freeway, taking into account impacts on existing and future land uses, as well as access to the local transportation network. The study will examine how existing at-grade intersections might be treated, converting them to interchanges, over/underpasses, or cul-de-sacs. An examination of alternative methods of access to private driveways & field entrances will also be included in the study.

There are no immediate construction plans or contruction funds associated with this study. This study will outline improvement  alternatives that, if funded, would be constructed over the next couple of decades. Even though the actual improvements may be decades away, developing this long-term vision will allow WisDOT and local communities to collectively plan for transportation and land use systems that are compatible with each other for the foreseeable future. The end product is an official map to reserve the right-of-way associated with the preferred alternative(s).

In addition to introducing the study and providing background information, a major goal of the meeting is to gather input from members of the public who live, work, or travel within the planning area. Exhibits of existing conditions and preliminary design alternatives will be available for comment. Study staff from WisDOT and MSA Professional Services will be available to discuss your questions and concerns, and to record your comments. Information gathered during the evening will be considered as part of the planning study.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, or would like more information, contact Tom Koprowski at (608) 246-3869. Written comments regarding the project can be mailed to Tom Koprowski, WisDOT, Southwest Region, 2101 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704. Citizens who are hearing-impaired and who require an interpreter may request one by contacting Tom Koprowski at least three working days prior to the meeting via the Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay system (dialing 711).

For more information, contact:
Tom Koprowski, WisDOT Project Manager
(608) 246-3869, thomas.koprowski@dot.state.wi.us

David Boyd, FAIC, Project Manager, MSA Professional Services
(800) 362-4505, dboyd@msa-ps.com