US 18/151 Freeway Conversion Study, Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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US 18/151 Freeway Conversion Study

FAQ

US 18/151 Freeway Conversion Study - Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

About the study | About the official mapping process

FAQ - About the Study

Who is conducting the study?

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Southwest Region is initiating the study. WisDOT has hired the consulting firm Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH®) to assist them with their efforts. Local officials from Dane and Iowa counties, property owners and other interested stakeholders are contributing to the study.

What are the limits of the study?

The study limits extend from US 18/151 (Dodgeville) to County G/Dairy Ridge Road (Verona), a distance of approximately 28 miles. The study is located in both Dane and Iowa counties.

What is the US 18/151 Freeway Conversion Study all about?

The US 18/151 Freeway Conversion Study will result in a plan for the eventual removal of direct access onto US 18/151 over a period of many years. Existing direct access points (such as roads and driveways) will be removed. Access will be at highway interchanges, and there will be a plan for new overpasses or underpasses, and new local road connections.

An analysis of environmental issues associated with freeway conversion is being done in accordance with federal and state requirements. At the conclusion of the study, the lands that will need to be acquired for freeway conversion will be officially mapped so that property owners and local communities can plan accordingly. It is important to note that this study is not planning for any additional capacity (travel lanes) for any of this portion of US 18/151. The plan is considering the addition of auxiliary lanes between County G and the County MV exit on the west side of Verona.

What is the difference between an expressway and a freeway?

Expressways are multi-lane roadways with a median to separate traffic. The posted speed limit is usually 55 to 65 mph, although it may be posted lower in/near urban areas. They have some at-grade intersections with public roads and driveways, allowing vehicles to get directly on/off/across the main highway. Expressways may also include interchanges and grade separations (side roads that go under or over the main road but do not access it directly).

Freeways also have two or more lanes in each direction separated by a median and a 55 to 65 mph posted speed limit. Unlike expressways, freeways have no at-grade accesses of any kind. All crossroads are separated by grade (they go over or under the freeway). They provide access on/off the highway only at interchanges.

The US 18/151 corridor appears to be operating fairly well now, why are additional studies necessary?

As part of the US Highway System, US 18/151 is an important regional roadway connecting major Midwest cities such as Dubuque, Iowa and Madison, Wisconsin. US 18/151 is identified as a Backbone Route in WisDOT’s Connections 2030 Long-Range Transportation Plan. The plan places high priority in protecting these highway investments that connect major economic/population centers and carry long-distance statewide, and inter-state traffic.

As traffic increases over time, it will become increasingly difficult to turn on, off, and/or cross the highway in a safe manner, and the overall potential for crashes will increase. A completed plan will include ways to address problems at individual locations that fit into the big picture plan to convert the entire corridor to a freeway. A completed freeway conversion plan will improve the ability of local communities adjacent to this high-priority corridor to integrate future land use development with the existing and proposed road system.

When would improvements be made?

The physical construction of major improvements will not begin for many years, and the freeway conversion will not be completed for 15-20 years or more. However, an interim safety improvement to lengthen some existing acceleration and deceleration lanes in the project area will be constructed in 2010. Also, the first minor change needed to convert to freeway is planned in 2015. This will be the relocation of County E such that the intersection is moved from US 18/151 to WIS 78.

How might this study affect emergency services such as police, fire, EMS, and other public services such as school bus routes?

The study team coordinates directly with all local fire, police, and EMS providers in the study area, as well as with area school districts and their transportation service coordinators. The final highway access plan will accommodate the delivery of emergency services and integrate school bus routes to the greatest extent possible.

What about agricultural operations, especially cross-highway farming?

WisDOT recognizes that agricultural operations are an important part of the local and statewide economy. Many operations currently use US 18/151 for travel and/or to gain access to the opposite side of the highway. A survey and an advisory group meeting focusing on area farming issues were held to add to our understanding of current and future operation needs. The information will be used to ensure that agricultural needs are accommodated and impacts are minimized to the extent possible by the freeway conversion.

Cost-effective alternative access to local roads is not possible for all properties. Driveways that access individual agricultural fields or farm homes and generate little traffic may be allowed to remain for many years beyond the time when the rest of the roadway has been converted to freeway, as long as they function safely.

How can I get involved and stay informed?

Meetings for both the general public and local officials that target specific locations within the study area are being held in both Iowa and Dane counties.

They offer opportunities for interested stakeholders to provide input on the issues, and the alternatives under consideration. A project mailing database has also been developed. It lists corridor residents/businesses, local officials, emergency service providers, agricultural operators, school transportation officials, and other interested parties. All these stakeholders are notified of upcoming corridor-wide public information meetings.

FAQ - About the official mapping process

What is an official map?

An official map is a recorded document that depicts the location and amount of private land WisDOT will need to purchase in the future for highway right-of-way. Wisconsin State Statute 84.295 authorizes WisDOT to create such a document, but its use is restricted to freeways and expressways that won’t be built in the relatively near future. It is created only after an extensive study of many issues and coordination with landowners, local governments, agencies and other stakeholders, culminating with a public hearing. An official map cannot be used to purchase the right-of-way. That requires a plat of right-of-way, which is created later on, a few years before the physical construction of the freeway or expressway.

Why will WisDOT create an official map?

An official map gives landowners and local governments the ability to plan their futures and develop their lands in ways that avoid the future highway improvements. Developers can be confident that expensive new investments will not be negatively impacted by the new freeway or highway. Local zoning can be altered such that the lands are preserved for future highway use. Ultimately, mapping greatly increases the likelihood that the land needed for the future improvement will remain available and at a reasonable cost, saving taxpayers money and avoiding the need to move the proposed roadway somewhere else that is less desirable.

What will WisDOT officially map?

WisDOT will map and preserve land required to convert US 18/151 to a freeway/expressway under Wis. Stats. 84.295 including:

Interchange locations
Grade separations (overpass/underpass)
Removal of existing public road and private driveway access points
Alterations, removals, or additions to the local road system

How accurate is the official map?

The accuracy varies depending upon circumstances. The accuracy of the US 18/151 official map will be the same as required for final highway plans. This will include the accurate location of all property boundaries and identification of current landowners.

What are the rights of property owners?

If your property falls within the area shown on the WisDOT official map, you will:

Receive a formal letter form WisDOT informing you of this.
Have the official map notification recorded on your property.

The only requirement from that point on is that you must notify WisDOT 60 days in advance of any construction on the portion of your property that is within mapped limits. This is defined as erecting or moving in a new structure, or in some way altering an existing one. Upon receipt of that notification from the landowner, WisDOT will make a determination to either purchase the property at fair market value or allow the proposed private alteration to occur. If the property is acquired a later date, the owner will receive full compensation for the alteration.

If a landowner makes any alteration to the mapped portion of the property without providing this notification, WisDOT is not required to compensate the owner for that improvement if/when WisDOT decides to purchase the property.

What if I want to sell my property?

Having your property on an official map doesn’t affect your right to sell the property. Sellers should tell prospective buyers about the fact that the property is on an official map. Once officially mapped and recorded, a title search for the property should also identify it as being officially mapped.

Example of an official map

Example of an Official Map.

Example of official map (338 KB)

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