New US 10 west alignment, I-39 interchange to open week of June 22

June 18, 2009

Several highway name changes scheduled to take effect

Crews are currently making final preparations to open eight miles of newly constructed US 10 in western Portage County. The new highway alignment, which will bypass downtown Stevens Point, is located between I-39 and WIS 34 north and is scheduled to open during the week of June 22. Improvements include:

• A new system-to-system interchange with I-39, located just north of the Portage County X overpass. The new interchange will provide free-flow access to new US 10.
• A 65 mph, four-lane divided freeway between the new I-39 interchange and WIS 34 north.
• A new bridge over the Wisconsin River.
• A new overpass at Portage County E.
• A new interchange with WIS 34 north.

The schedule for the opening of the new US 10 alignment is subject to change based on favorable weather conditions.

After the highway opens, the following highway name changes are scheduled to occur:

• Existing US 10 - from I-39 to existing Portage County P - will become new WIS 66 within the city of Stevens Point and the village of Park Ridge. WIS 66 will also run concurrent with I-39/US 51 from the I-39/US 51/US 10 east interchange to the I-39/US 51/WIS 66 interchange.
• Existing US 10 - from existing Portage County P to WIS 34 north - will become Portage County HH within the city of Stevens Point and the town of Linwood.
• Existing Wood/Portage County P - from existing US 10 (West Clark Street) to WIS 34 - will become new WIS 66 within the city of Stevens Point and towns of Linwood and Rudolph.
• Existing WIS 66 - from I-39/US 51 to existing US 10 (Main Street) - will become a local street (Stanley and Michigan Streets) within the city of Stevens Point and the town of Hull.

Additional information regarding the scheduled highway changes is available on the US 10 expansion project Web site.

WisDOT is expanding 31 miles of US 10 from a two-lane, undivided highway to a four lane, divided highway between WIS 13 near Marshfield to I-39, north of Stevens Point. Construction began in 2006. The new four-lane highway will bypass the communities of Auburndale, Blenker, Milladore and Junction City. The project represents an estimated $244 million investment in central Wisconsin's transportation system. The entire project is scheduled for completion in 2012.

For more information, contact:
Kristin McHugh, Regional Communications Manager
(715) 421-8380, kristin.mchugh@dot.wi.gov