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US 45 expansion project - need

US 45 is a major transportation route for both business and tourist traffic through east central Wisconsin. Traffic through this section currently averages 11,000 vehicles per day with significant increases on weekends. Volumes are forecasted to increase to about 16,000 vehicles per day by the year 2026.

The segment of US 45 from Winnebago County G to County II is a critical remaining segment in the overall upgrading of the US 45 corridor between Oshkosh and New London.

Two US 45 improvement projects completed in 2003 border both ends of the current proposed project:

• Reconstruction of US 45 as a four-lane, divided expressway from Oshkosh to County G. An interchange was constructed at WIS 116 and right of way was acquired for an interchange at County T and Ryf Road. Construction of the 45/T interchange began in August 2007 and is scheduled for completion in Fall 2008. At that time, US 45 will have full access control from US 41 to County G.
• Reconstruction of US 45 as a four-lane, divided freeway from County II to the north Winnebago County line. Upgrading this section of US 45 was a portion of the larger 16.4-mile extension of new US 10 as a four-lane freeway from WIS 76 in the town of Clayton to WIS 110 in the town of Fremont.

The proposed expansion of US 45 will eliminate the existing two-lane bottleneck from County G to County II. It will also provide four travel lanes of US 45 from US 41 to the north Winnebago County line. In addition, by acquiring right of way for overpasses and frontage roads, the US 45 corridor will be preserved for future freeway conversion.

Benefits of this project include:

• Consistent four-lane travel along US 45 from US 41 to the north Winnebago County line.
• Additional capacity to serve existing and projected traffic volumes.
• Improved safety.
• A rural expressway that meets current design and operational standards.
• Improved operational efficiency (including controlled access).
• Improved regional economic development.

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Northeast Transportation Region, greenbay.dtd@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: November 12, 2007