US 41 expansion, Marinette & Oconto Counties (Oconto to Peshtigo)

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US 41 expansion - Marinette & Oconto Counties

US 41 expansion, Marinette & Oconto Counties (Oconto to Peshtigo)

US 41 is a major north-south link in Wisconsin serving both interstate and intrastate commercial and recreational traffic. The 21-mile section of US 41 from Oconto to Peshtigo in Oconto and Marinette counties is currently the only section of US 41 in the state that remains a two-lane roadway. Lack of roadway capacity combined with heavy traffic volumes result in a low level of service on this portion of US 41.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has been taking steps to expand US 41 from Oconto to Peshtigo for several years. WisDOT has completed the planning process and is now in the final design phase.

1989: The roadway was identified as a backbone route in WisDOT's Corridors 2020 Plan, which meant the roadway received high priority status for improvement funding.
1992: Funding was allocated to begin a study of the US 41 corridor between Oconto and Peshtigo with the long-range purpose of improving the corridor. As a result, WisDOT began compiling a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to study improvement alternatives.
2005: The public comment period for the DEIS was completed in spring 2005. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was approved and released to the public in October 2005. The Record of Decision (ROD) was approved by the Federal Highway Administration in December 2005. The Design Study Report was also completed and approved in December.

For more information about the significance and purpose of an EIS, visit WisDOT’s environmental information page.

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Existing facility

US 41 will be expanded from Frog Pond Road, south of the city of Oconto, to about one mile northeast of Schacht Road near the city of Peshtigo.

Approximately three miles of the proposed US 41 alignment are within the city limits of Oconto and Peshtigo. The remaining 18 miles lie in rural areas. The existing pavement is 24-feet wide with eight to 10-foot gravel shoulders. In urban areas, the roadway is edged with curbs, gutters and parking lanes.

Future design

US 41 will be developed as a four-lane divided highway with access management that will allow for uninterrupted travel with a 65 mph speed limit. An average range of 250 to 350 feet will be needed to construct a four-lane divided facility in rural areas.

This would provide for two 12-foot driving lanes in each direction with 10-foot outside shoulders (eight feet paved) and 6-foot inside shoulders (three feet paved). The standard median width will be 60 feet.

Roundabouts are being considered to improve traffic flow in urban areas. View more information on WisDOT roundabouts.

The expansion will provide additional roadway capacity to serve existing and projected traffic volumes and improve the safety and efficiency of the roadway. Costs and environmental impacts will be kept at a minimum.

The improved facility will meet expressway standards between Oconto and Peshtigo and the Oconto and Peshtigo bypasses will meet freeway standards.

This project will complete the statewide upgrade of US 41 to four lanes.

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Photo of US 41 traffic between Oconto and Peshtigo.

Expansion of US 41 would complete the statewide upgrade of US 41 to four lanes.