Plans & Projects > Find by location > SW Region > Verona Road/US 151 study > Purpose/needs >

Verona Rd./US 18/151 - Need/purpose, Local issues

Traffic growth

US 151 (Verona Road) is classified as a Backbone route in the Corridors 2020/Connections 2030 State Highway Plan. This is the same classification as the Interstate Highways. US 151 (Verona Road) serves an interregional purpose within the state. In 2008, the US 151 Backbone route became a full four-lane expressway/freeway facility from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to Dubuque, Iowa, except for the two mile section that is a focus of this study.

This two mile section of Verona Road carries traffic volumes and trip types that are characteristic of freeway/expressway travel. In 2006, traffic volumes on sections of Verona Road were 50,750 to 59,300 vehicles per day (vpd), and they are projected to grow to 53,700 to 69,000 vpd by the year 2030.

Increasing traffic volumes and associated congestion are compromising the mobility of the corridor. The Verona Road/Beltline interchange already operates at extremely congested conditions during the evening and morning peak hours with average intersection delays exceeding 100 seconds per vehicle, corresponding to level of service (LOS) F.

Traffic congestion on US 151/Verona Road.

Traffic turning onto US 151/Verona Road from the westbound Beltline.

Safety

As traffic volumes on the Verona Road corridor grow, congestion related crashes are increasing. Between 2006 and 2008, there were 342 crashes on Verona Road from the Beltline to County PD, producing a crash rate of 201 crashes per hundred million vehicle miles traveled (HMVMT). These crashes are a product of the vehicle conflict points inherent with the six signalized intersections in this corridor.

Additionally, pedestrian and bicycle safety on Verona Road and through the Beltline interchange decreases as traffic and turning movements grow. While WisDOT has made efforts to retrofit bicycle and pedestrian amenities in the corridor, there are still a few longitudinal accommodations and crossing opportunities that are challenging.

Bike and pedestrian mobility

Although bicycle and pedestrian travel is gaining importance in Madison's overall transportation network, traveling by these modes is difficult in and around the Beltline and Verona Road corridors. Specifically in the Verona Road area, where medium and high-density residential housing exists, few accommodations are made for bicycle or pedestrian transportation. Well-worn dirt paths in the right of way, pedestrians darting across Verona Road, and bus shelters without pedestrian facilities are examples of the unmet needs that exist for bike and pedestrian accommodations.

Additionally, it is difficult to walk between stores or access them from adjacent neighborhoods. These pedestrian travel difficulties have further isolated local neighborhoods from the Madison-area community.

Allied Neighborhood isolation

The Beltline and Verona Road, along with the natural barrier of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, limit transportation options in and out of the Allied neighborhood. This problem is shared by the Marlborough Heights, Crawford Heights and Dunn's Marsh neighborhoods. Improved transportation connections to and from these neighborhoods are desirable.

Noise

Groups representing neighborhoods along Verona Road have voiced concerns about increasing noise levels from the rising volume of traffic in general and trucks in particular.

Back to Need/purpose

Return to top

Questions about the content of this page, contact:
WisDOT Southwest Region Office-Madison, swr.dtsd@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: January 12, 2012