Madison Beltline (US 12/14/18/151) Safety and Operations Study, need/purpose

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Madison Beltline (US 12/14/18/151) Safety and Operations Study

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Madison Beltline (US 12/14/18/151) Safety and Operations Study - need/purpose

The Beltline is a critical east-west route in south central Wisconsin, providing important connections for national, regional and local traffic. The Madison metropolitan area depends on the Beltline for both local and regional mobility.

Crashes

Crashes on the Madison Beltline exceed the statewide average crash rates in eight of the 18 freeway segments and 43 of the 101 interchange areas studied.

As part of this study, crashes were evaluated along this segment of the Beltline from 2000 until 2004. During this time more than 1.5 crashes occur per day within the project limits.

Table 2 - Madison Beltline crash totals and rates.

Existing/future traffic volumes

WisDOT analyzed the existing roadway traffic volumes and found that the annual average daily traffic volumes in 2005 ranged from 42,000 vehicles per day (VPD) in Middleton to 115,000 VPD between Verona Road and Seminole Highway.

Traffic volumes are expected to increase more than 25 percent by 2030. The Madison Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MAMPO) travel demand model predicts drivers will increasingly use adjacent local and county streets as an alternative.

Outdated design

The Beltline has numerous tight (slow travel speed) loop ramps and other substandard interchange features. The grass median is relatively narrow in several segments, increasing the possibility for cross-over head-on crashes. In addition, the vertical clearances beneath some bridge structures are below standard, raising the risk for vehicles striking the bridge.

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Related information:

Madison Beltline (US 12/14/18/151) Improvements