Wisconsin notes

[skluth]

I-41 expansion scheduled to start in 2024.  Includes 55 MPH flyover ramps at STH 441, DDIs at STH 15, STH 47 and CTH E.  https://wtaq.com/2022/05/11/i-41-expansion-project-getting-closer/

Just thinking about when that then US 41 bypass freeway was built and opened across the north metro area in about 1960, it was all well outside the city in a rural farming area, with little traffic and NO development.  It is amazing how that entire area has changed.

Mike

I always am amazed looking at Lambeau Field pictures(when US 41 pasted the stadium) when they show the stadium when it was first built.  From stadium with a corn field in sight to what it is now again is amazing to what has happened in this 5-060 year timeline

The land north of Appleton was still farmland well into the 70's and mostly farmland as far south as Northland. The first big development I remember north of the highway was the Aid Association for Lutherans which I believe was built in the late 70's. The land around Lambeau was developed pretty quickly in the 60's, though it was a while before much of the land west of the current I-41 was developed.

[SEWIGuy]

I-41 expansion scheduled to start in 2024.  Includes 55 MPH flyover ramps at STH 441, DDIs at STH 15, STH 47 and CTH E.  https://wtaq.com/2022/05/11/i-41-expansion-project-getting-closer/

Just thinking about when that then US 41 bypass freeway was built and opened across the north metro area in about 1960, it was all well outside the city in a rural farming area, with little traffic and NO development.  It is amazing how that entire area has changed.

Mike

I always am amazed looking at Lambeau Field pictures(when US 41 pasted the stadium) when they show the stadium when it was first built.  From stadium with a corn field in sight to what it is now again is amazing to what has happened in this 5-060 year timeline

Maybe stop posting while drinking in the future ok?

[hobsini2]

I-41 expansion scheduled to start in 2024.  Includes 55 MPH flyover ramps at STH 441, DDIs at STH 15, STH 47 and CTH E.  https://wtaq.com/2022/05/11/i-41-expansion-project-getting-closer/

Just thinking about when that then US 41 bypass freeway was built and opened across the north metro area in about 1960, it was all well outside the city in a rural farming area, with little traffic and NO development.  It is amazing how that entire area has changed.

Mike

I always am amazed looking at Lambeau Field pictures(when US 41 pasted the stadium) when they show the stadium when it was first built.  From stadium with a corn field in sight to what it is now again is amazing to what has happened in this 5-060 year timeline

Being originally from Oshkosh (born in 1976) and having my grandparents there until they died 5 years ago, I remember as a kid that Oshkosh had nothing west of 41 especially along 21 and 44. Park Plaza Mall was THE place to go shopping Downtown. No Outlet Mall. And the every 2 or 3 hour train crossing on 41 to Ripon from the Quarry. And walking 1 1/2 miles each way with my grandfather every time we visited to Field's Ice Cream Parlor on 9th and I think Ohio (might have been Oregon). And we still had a Shakey's by Witzel and 41. Nostalgia!

[I-39]

A J-turn intersection seems significantly less expensive than a full interchange.  Why not build an interim solution that may last you 20 years?

Which is cheaper:

J-turn intersection now + diamond interchange in 20 years

Or

Diamond interchange now

Answer: the latter.

An interchange should have been built there like 20 years ago. It's long overdue for an interchange. J Turns aren't really much safer anyways. Your making tight U turns on a highway with a 65 MPH speed limit. Blue Mound State Park is close by that is a popular destination in the state. I have to go all the way to Hwy 78 to get back on US18/151 because I don't feel safe getting on at Hwy F at an at grade intersection. A J turn is not going to change that.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why there hasn't been a bigger push to complete freeway upgrades along this segment of US 18/151 (Verona to Dodgeville), along with US 151 from Columbus to Waupun. Both segments are overdue to become full freeways at this point.

[gr8daynegb]

I-41 expansion scheduled to start in 2024.  Includes 55 MPH flyover ramps at STH 441, DDIs at STH 15, STH 47 and CTH E.  https://wtaq.com/2022/05/11/i-41-expansion-project-getting-closer/

Just thinking about when that then US 41 bypass freeway was built and opened across the north metro area in about 1960, it was all well outside the city in a rural farming area, with little traffic and NO development.  It is amazing how that entire area has changed.

Mike

I always am amazed looking at Lambeau Field pictures(when US 41 pasted the stadium) when they show the stadium when it was first built.  From stadium with a corn field in sight to what it is now again is amazing to what has happened in this 5-060 year timeline

Maybe stop posting while drinking in the future ok?

Not sure what that post meant.....but many worse and more frequent spelling/grammar errors than my last post in the forum outside of what I post in here

[triplemultiplex]

And we still had a Shakey's by Witzel and 41. Nostalgia!

Ooh, Shakey's was great.  At least in my memory.  Definitely assaulted their buffet in Wausau a few times as a teenager.  Nothing like loading a plate with pizza, chicken and ribs!

[Big John]

And we still had a Shakey's by Witzel and 41. Nostalgia!

Ooh, Shakey's was great.  At least in my memory.  Definitely assaulted their buffet in Wausau a few times as a teenager.  Nothing like loading a plate with pizza, chicken and ribs!

and mojo potatoes.

[skluth]

A J-turn intersection seems significantly less expensive than a full interchange.  Why not build an interim solution that may last you 20 years?

Which is cheaper:

J-turn intersection now + diamond interchange in 20 years

Or

Diamond interchange now

Answer: the latter.

An interchange should have been built there like 20 years ago. It's long overdue for an interchange. J Turns aren't really much safer anyways. Your making tight U turns on a highway with a 65 MPH speed limit. Blue Mound State Park is close by that is a popular destination in the state. I have to go all the way to Hwy 78 to get back on US18/151 because I don't feel safe getting on at Hwy F at an at grade intersection. A J turn is not going to change that.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why there hasn't been a bigger push to complete freeway upgrades along this segment of US 18/151 (Verona to Dodgeville), along with US 151 from Columbus to Waupun. Both segments are overdue to become full freeways at this point.

I can see Columbus to Waupun being upgraded over the next decade, especially north to Beaver Dam. But the current expressway SW of Verona is more than adequate for the traffic. I do think a few more interchanges should be built between Verona and Dodgeville, but that doesn't mean a full freeway is needed.

[hobsini2]

And we still had a Shakey's by Witzel and 41. Nostalgia!

Ooh, Shakey's was great.  At least in my memory.  Definitely assaulted their buffet in Wausau a few times as a teenager.  Nothing like loading a plate with pizza, chicken and ribs!

and mojo potatoes.

For the food, I do remember the pizza and ribs the most. And playing Mr Do or Dig Dug in the small arcade.

[mgk920]

And we still had a Shakey's by Witzel and 41. Nostalgia!

Ooh, Shakey's was great.  At least in my memory.  Definitely assaulted their buffet in Wausau a few times as a teenager.  Nothing like loading a plate with pizza, chicken and ribs!

and mojo potatoes.

For the food, I do remember the pizza and ribs the most. And playing Mr Do or Dig Dug in the small arcade.

I also have mainly pleasant childhood memories of the Shakey's that was here in Appleton, WI.  Located on College Ave (WI 125) at Perkins St on the city's west side.  The building is now a locally operated Cheese Fondue place ('The Fondue Pot').

Mike

[The Ghostbuster]

US 18/151 is planned to eventually become a freeway between Dodgeville and Verona (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/18151study/default.aspx), ditto with US 151 between Columbus and Waupun (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/151/default.aspx). However, the upgrades will come gradually. At present, there are only two projects along 18/151 in the near future. The first is a pavement rehabilitation project between Town Hall Road and Fitchrona Rd. in 2023 (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18151/default.aspx). The second is converting the 18/151 intersection at CTH F into a J-Turn intersection in Blue Mounds (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18-bluemounds/default.aspx). There will be an intersection improvement project along US 151 at CTH C in Trenton (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-cintersection/default.aspx) although I doubt it will be an upgrade into an interchange or a grade-separation. There is also a proposal to convert the US 151 intersection at CTH DE/Jackson Rd. into either a J-Turn intersection, or an offset T intersection (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-intersection/default.aspx). Construction will happen in 2025.

[I-39]

US 18/151 is planned to eventually become a freeway between Dodgeville and Verona (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/18151study/default.aspx), ditto with US 151 between Columbus and Waupun (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/151/default.aspx). However, the upgrades will come gradually. At present, there are only two projects along 18/151 in the near future. The first is a pavement rehabilitation project between Town Hall Road and Fitchrona Rd. in 2023 (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18151/default.aspx). The second is converting the 18/151 intersection at CTH F into a J-Turn intersection in Blue Mounds (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18-bluemounds/default.aspx). There will be an intersection improvement project along US 151 at CTH C in Trenton (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-cintersection/default.aspx) although I doubt it will be an upgrade into an interchange or a grade-separation. There is also a proposal to convert the US 151 intersection at CTH DE/Jackson Rd. into either a J-Turn intersection, or an offset T intersection (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-intersection/default.aspx). Construction will happen in 2025.

I would've thought by now there would be a large scale conversion of the remaining expressway sections to freeway on US 151 between Madison and Fond du Lac, a la US 41 in the 90s. Arguably, that segment is the only one of the non-Interstate backbone routes that should be full freeway. Even the lower traffic count segment between Waupun and Fond du Lac could use it to discourage the use of WIS 26.

[SEWIGuy]

US 18/151 is planned to eventually become a freeway between Dodgeville and Verona (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/18151study/default.aspx), ditto with US 151 between Columbus and Waupun (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/151/default.aspx). However, the upgrades will come gradually. At present, there are only two projects along 18/151 in the near future. The first is a pavement rehabilitation project between Town Hall Road and Fitchrona Rd. in 2023 (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18151/default.aspx). The second is converting the 18/151 intersection at CTH F into a J-Turn intersection in Blue Mounds (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18-bluemounds/default.aspx). There will be an intersection improvement project along US 151 at CTH C in Trenton (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-cintersection/default.aspx) although I doubt it will be an upgrade into an interchange or a grade-separation. There is also a proposal to convert the US 151 intersection at CTH DE/Jackson Rd. into either a J-Turn intersection, or an offset T intersection (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-intersection/default.aspx). Construction will happen in 2025.

I would've thought by now there would be a large scale conversion of the remaining expressway sections to freeway on US 151 between Madison and Fond du Lac, a la US 41 in the 90s. Arguably, that segment is the only one of the non-Interstate backbone routes that should be full freeway. Even the lower traffic count segment between Waupun and Fond du Lac could use it to discourage the use of WIS 26.

I don't think people don't use US-151 because it isn't a full freeway.  Even if you converted it to one, increasing the speed limit by 5 mph and putting in free flow ramps at I-41 isn't going to change that.

[tchafe1978]

US 18/151 is planned to eventually become a freeway between Dodgeville and Verona (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/18151study/default.aspx), ditto with US 151 between Columbus and Waupun (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/151/default.aspx). However, the upgrades will come gradually. At present, there are only two projects along 18/151 in the near future. The first is a pavement rehabilitation project between Town Hall Road and Fitchrona Rd. in 2023 (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18151/default.aspx). The second is converting the 18/151 intersection at CTH F into a J-Turn intersection in Blue Mounds (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18-bluemounds/default.aspx). There will be an intersection improvement project along US 151 at CTH C in Trenton (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-cintersection/default.aspx) although I doubt it will be an upgrade into an interchange or a grade-separation. There is also a proposal to convert the US 151 intersection at CTH DE/Jackson Rd. into either a J-Turn intersection, or an offset T intersection (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-intersection/default.aspx). Construction will happen in 2025.

I would've thought by now there would be a large scale conversion of the remaining expressway sections to freeway on US 151 between Madison and Fond du Lac, a la US 41 in the 90s. Arguably, that segment is the only one of the non-Interstate backbone routes that should be full freeway. Even the lower traffic count segment between Waupun and Fond du Lac could use it to discourage the use of WIS 26.

I don't think people don't use US-151 because it isn't a full freeway.  Even if you converted it to one, increasing the speed limit by 5 mph and putting in free flow ramps at I-41 isn't going to change that.

People are going to keep using 26 because it's percieved to be shorter. Distance-wise it is, but I've found that time-wise, it's about the same within a few minutes to take 151 to I-41 to Oshkosh. 26 is two lanes with occasional passing lanes, but Rosendale is a big time slow down and can be a bottleneck on busy traffic days. 151 from Waupun to Fond du Lac is mostly free and clear and much more relaxing to drive, so most times when I head that way that is the way I go.

[SEWIGuy]

US 18/151 is planned to eventually become a freeway between Dodgeville and Verona (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/18151study/default.aspx), ditto with US 151 between Columbus and Waupun (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/151/default.aspx). However, the upgrades will come gradually. At present, there are only two projects along 18/151 in the near future. The first is a pavement rehabilitation project between Town Hall Road and Fitchrona Rd. in 2023 (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18151/default.aspx). The second is converting the 18/151 intersection at CTH F into a J-Turn intersection in Blue Mounds (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18-bluemounds/default.aspx). There will be an intersection improvement project along US 151 at CTH C in Trenton (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-cintersection/default.aspx) although I doubt it will be an upgrade into an interchange or a grade-separation. There is also a proposal to convert the US 151 intersection at CTH DE/Jackson Rd. into either a J-Turn intersection, or an offset T intersection (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-intersection/default.aspx). Construction will happen in 2025.

I would've thought by now there would be a large scale conversion of the remaining expressway sections to freeway on US 151 between Madison and Fond du Lac, a la US 41 in the 90s. Arguably, that segment is the only one of the non-Interstate backbone routes that should be full freeway. Even the lower traffic count segment between Waupun and Fond du Lac could use it to discourage the use of WIS 26.

I don't think people don't use US-151 because it isn't a full freeway.  Even if you converted it to one, increasing the speed limit by 5 mph and putting in free flow ramps at I-41 isn't going to change that.

People are going to keep using 26 because it's percieved to be shorter. Distance-wise it is, but I've found that time-wise, it's about the same within a few minutes to take 151 to I-41 to Oshkosh. 26 is two lanes with occasional passing lanes, but Rosendale is a big time slow down and can be a bottleneck on busy traffic days. 151 from Waupun to Fond du Lac is mostly free and clear and much more relaxing to drive, so most times when I head that way that is the way I go.

Ditto.  This is part of the reason I think WIDOT should do more to discourage people from taking WI-26.

[SSOWorld]

US 18/151 is planned to eventually become a freeway between Dodgeville and Verona (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/18151study/default.aspx), ditto with US 151 between Columbus and Waupun (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/151/default.aspx). However, the upgrades will come gradually. At present, there are only two projects along 18/151 in the near future. The first is a pavement rehabilitation project between Town Hall Road and Fitchrona Rd. in 2023 (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18151/default.aspx). The second is converting the 18/151 intersection at CTH F into a J-Turn intersection in Blue Mounds (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18-bluemounds/default.aspx). There will be an intersection improvement project along US 151 at CTH C in Trenton (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-cintersection/default.aspx) although I doubt it will be an upgrade into an interchange or a grade-separation. There is also a proposal to convert the US 151 intersection at CTH DE/Jackson Rd. into either a J-Turn intersection, or an offset T intersection (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-intersection/default.aspx). Construction will happen in 2025.

I would've thought by now there would be a large scale conversion of the remaining expressway sections to freeway on US 151 between Madison and Fond du Lac, a la US 41 in the 90s. Arguably, that segment is the only one of the non-Interstate backbone routes that should be full freeway. Even the lower traffic count segment between Waupun and Fond du Lac could use it to discourage the use of WIS 26.

I don't think people don't use US-151 because it isn't a full freeway.  Even if you converted it to one, increasing the speed limit by 5 mph and putting in free flow ramps at I-41 isn't going to change that.

60 mph?

[SEWIGuy]

US 18/151 is planned to eventually become a freeway between Dodgeville and Verona (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/18151study/default.aspx), ditto with US 151 between Columbus and Waupun (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/151/default.aspx). However, the upgrades will come gradually. At present, there are only two projects along 18/151 in the near future. The first is a pavement rehabilitation project between Town Hall Road and Fitchrona Rd. in 2023 (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18151/default.aspx). The second is converting the 18/151 intersection at CTH F into a J-Turn intersection in Blue Mounds (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18-bluemounds/default.aspx). There will be an intersection improvement project along US 151 at CTH C in Trenton (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-cintersection/default.aspx) although I doubt it will be an upgrade into an interchange or a grade-separation. There is also a proposal to convert the US 151 intersection at CTH DE/Jackson Rd. into either a J-Turn intersection, or an offset T intersection (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us151-intersection/default.aspx). Construction will happen in 2025.

I would've thought by now there would be a large scale conversion of the remaining expressway sections to freeway on US 151 between Madison and Fond du Lac, a la US 41 in the 90s. Arguably, that segment is the only one of the non-Interstate backbone routes that should be full freeway. Even the lower traffic count segment between Waupun and Fond du Lac could use it to discourage the use of WIS 26.

I don't think people don't use US-151 because it isn't a full freeway.  Even if you converted it to one, increasing the speed limit by 5 mph and putting in free flow ramps at I-41 isn't going to change that.

60 mph?

US-151 is initially 55 mph, for what...a mile south of FdL, but ramps up to 65 mph soon after.  Wisconsin would sign it as 70 mph as a full freeway.

[The Ghostbuster]

The freeway conversion process for US 18/151 (Dodgeville to Verona) and US 151 (Columbus to Waupun) will likely be a gradual one. It will likely happen bit by bit over the course of 20-30 years. Same with the other freeway conversion proposals on the DOT website. Would I like these freeway conversions to happen sooner? Absolutely! However, I understand the reality that these conversions to freeway standards will require a good deal of time (and a lot of patience from us road geeks).

[triplemultiplex]

The first is a pavement rehabilitation project between Town Hall Road and Fitchrona Rd. in 2023 (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us18151/default.aspx).

This year, they are adding an aux lane WB between WI 69 entrance and Epic Ln exit.
https://projects.511wi.gov/us18151-verona/

[dvferyance]

The freeway conversion process for US 18/151 (Dodgeville to Verona) and US 151 (Columbus to Waupun) will likely be a gradual one. It will likely happen bit by bit over the course of 20-30 years. Same with the other freeway conversion proposals on the DOT website. Would I like these freeway conversions to happen sooner? Absolutely! However, I understand the reality that these conversions to freeway standards will require a good deal of time (and a lot of patience from us road geeks).

Recently they have made a few upgrades like eliminating the Hwy E intersection and building a new interchange on the west side of Ridgeway.

[SSOWorld]

The freeway conversion process for US 18/151 (Dodgeville to Verona) and US 151 (Columbus to Waupun) will likely be a gradual one. It will likely happen bit by bit over the course of 20-30 years. Same with the other freeway conversion proposals on the DOT website. Would I like these freeway conversions to happen sooner? Absolutely! However, I understand the reality that these conversions to freeway standards will require a good deal of time (and a lot of patience from us road geeks).

Recently they have made a few upgrades like eliminating the Hwy E intersection and building a new interchange on the west side of Ridgeway.

RidgewaY

[peterj920]

Manitowoc is going to convert 8th and 10/11th Streets to two way streets which US 10 currently runs on. Along with the change the City of Manitowoc is proposing for US 151 to end at I-43, and reroute US 10 along Maritime Dr, across 8th Street, and Quay St to access the Carferry from the north. Business 42 would also run along Maritime Dr and 8th St. Here's a link with from the City of Manitowoc.

https://www.manitowoc.org/DocumentCenter/View/31217/Two-Way-Streets-Downtown-Manitowoc-7121-REV?bidId=

[SEWIGuy]

Manitowoc is going to convert 8th and 10/11th Streets to two way streets which US 10 currently runs on. Along with the change the City of Manitowoc is proposing for US 151 to end at I-43, and reroute US 10 along Maritime Dr, across 8th Street, and Quay St to access the Carferry from the north. Business 42 would also run along Maritime Dr and 8th St. Here's a link with from the City of Manitowoc.

https://www.manitowoc.org/DocumentCenter/View/31217/Two-Way-Streets-Downtown-Manitowoc-7121-REV?bidId=

I am all for removing one-way pairs like that.  And even though that proposed routing for US-10 looks strange, with the roundabout they installed a couple of years ago, it isn't a bad route.  Maritime Drive is a four lane street.

I think one issue is that WIDOT wants to keep WI-42 traffic on Waldo because people still use that highway to get up to Door County.

(I also think US-151 should replace WI-42 from Manitowoc north, but that's never going to happen.)

[gr8daynegb]

Manitowoc is going to convert 8th and 10/11th Streets to two way streets which US 10 currently runs on. Along with the change the City of Manitowoc is proposing for US 151 to end at I-43, and reroute US 10 along Maritime Dr, across 8th Street, and Quay St to access the Carferry from the north. Business 42 would also run along Maritime Dr and 8th St. Here's a link with from the City of Manitowoc.

https://www.manitowoc.org/DocumentCenter/View/31217/Two-Way-Streets-Downtown-Manitowoc-7121-REV?bidId=

I am all for removing one-way pairs like that.  And even though that proposed routing for US-10 looks strange, with the roundabout they installed a couple of years ago, it isn't a bad route.  Maritime Drive is a four lane street.

I think one issue is that WIDOT wants to keep WI-42 traffic on Waldo because people still use that highway to get up to Door County.

(I also think US-151 should replace WI-42 from Manitowoc north, but that's never going to happen.)

That business that "What do you do, when you're on 42....and you come to the end of the road?" for their commercial dislikes this 151 idea

[mgk920]

I'd rather US 151 be rerouted to replace WI 23 east of Fond du Lac.  Reflag the north-south part of present day US 151 to restore it as WI 55 and turn back the east-west part east of WI 55 to the various counties.  Right now, I would NOT recommend that through big-rig trucks use US 151 between Chilton and WI 55, especially westbound.

Mike