Wisconsin notes

[SEWIGuy]

I have a question in regards to I-39:

What was the plan supposed to be with its northern end? Seems like it just stops north of Merrill; was it meant to hook into the UP of Michigan?

It ends prior to Wausau. If it is extended anytime soon it won't be much past Wausau. It was never really intended to be anything but a interstate along the US-51 freeway. And that will not be extended anytime soon.

Sounds like a classic porkbarrel move.

Not even sure what that means. The signing of I-39 didn't come with any highway upgrades. US-51 was interstate compatible already.

i.e. "I'll get my constituents to vote for me. We want that interstate."

That's not what happened.

[dvferyance]

Does the US-53 freeway just north of La Crosse have exit numbers? If not it was let off the list.

A quick check of Google Streetview images shows that yes, its interchanges are numbered.

Example: https://goo.gl/maps/VZcUDz589jfgwt8s9

Mike

Your right it does must be really recent. Although US 53 still has a few unnumbered exits near Superior.

[The Ghostbuster]

I've seen on Google Streetview that the US 2 east interchange is numbered Exit 222 (though only northbound). The STH-13/CTH-Z interchange is numbered Exit 227.

US 2 East Interchange (NB): https://www.google.com/maps/@46.5982804,-91.9016463,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_vyMOBgJxC7GImCzE5HHoA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

STH-13/CTH-Z Interchange

NB: https://www.google.com/maps/@46.6455047,-91.9777172,3a,75y,329.5h,89.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spwxMoiLMQYv7i9sQ3Fc2hg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
SB: https://www.google.com/maps/@46.6500588,-91.9832718,3a,75y,141.29h,91.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sh4k5MyBzLwuCyUYQbn62kQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[renegade]

I have a question in regards to I-39:

What was the plan supposed to be with its northern end? Seems like it just stops north of Merrill; was it meant to hook into the UP of Michigan?

It ends prior to Wausau. If it is extended anytime soon it won't be much past Wausau. It was never really intended to be anything but a interstate along the US-51 freeway. And that will not be extended anytime soon.

Sounds like a classic porkbarrel move.

Not even sure what that means. The signing of I-39 didn't come with any highway upgrades. US-51 was interstate compatible already.

i.e. "I'll get my constituents to vote for me. We want that interstate."

That's not what happened.

Nope.  In the 1970s, US-51 was upgraded to a "Super-2"  configuration from Portage to Stevens Point.

[mgk920]

I have a question in regards to I-39:

What was the plan supposed to be with its northern end? Seems like it just stops north of Merrill; was it meant to hook into the UP of Michigan?

It ends prior to Wausau. If it is extended anytime soon it won't be much past Wausau. It was never really intended to be anything but a interstate along the US-51 freeway. And that will not be extended anytime soon.

Sounds like a classic porkbarrel move.

Not even sure what that means. The signing of I-39 didn't come with any highway upgrades. US-51 was interstate compatible already.

i.e. "I'll get my constituents to vote for me. We want that interstate."

That's not what happened.

Nope.  In the 1970s, US-51 was upgraded to a "Super-2"  configuration from Portage to Stevens Point.

IIRC, that 'Super Two' was built in the mid 1960s and progressively upgraded to the current four lanes in the mid 1970s to early 1980s.

It didn't receive its I-39 signs until after the connection at I-90/94 (the Cascade Interchange) was upgraded from its previous conventional par-clo to interstate standard for the interstate-to-interstate turns.

Mike

[dvferyance]

I've seen on Google Streetview that the US 2 east interchange is numbered Exit 222 (though only northbound). The STH-13/CTH-Z interchange is numbered Exit 227.

US 2 East Interchange (NB): https://www.google.com/maps/@46.5982804,-91.9016463,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_vyMOBgJxC7GImCzE5HHoA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

STH-13/CTH-Z Interchange

NB: https://www.google.com/maps/@46.6455047,-91.9777172,3a,75y,329.5h,89.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spwxMoiLMQYv7i9sQ3Fc2hg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
SB: https://www.google.com/maps/@46.6500588,-91.9832718,3a,75y,141.29h,91.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sh4k5MyBzLwuCyUYQbn62kQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Again another very recent thing.

[The Ghostbuster]

Indeed. The last time I went up that way (summer of 2016), the exits I mentioned did not have numbers. I also think that (further south) the interchanges at STH-70 in Spooner (Exit 165), and the exit/junction with US 63 north of Spooner (Exit 168), had likely just been numbered. I believe it is beneficial that exits on freeways and expressways are numbered, and I believe the DOT should number all freeway/expressway exits that currently do not have numbers. I'd like it if most freeway/expressway/tollway exits around the entire country had exit numbers (mileage-based being my preference), but I'm getting ahead of myself.

[thspfc]

It's just been tough for the DOT to keep up with posting exit numbers on all the newer freeways and expressways because there's so many new segments.

[Crash_It]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

And they still won't resurface WIS32  from the state line to 60th street, US12 through Walworth county, and US18 between Waukesha and Dousman. All of these roads are in horrible shape.

[DaBigE]

It's just been tough for the DOT to keep up with posting exit numbers on all the newer freeways and expressways because there's so many new segments.

Sorry, but I call BS. They could always assign numbers as part of the project that is building the new segment. Once they have the interchanges nailed down, usually early in the planning/design process, there's no reason they couldn't assign numbers by the time central office designs the official sign plates for the exits. If they aren't assigned during the project phase, they're likely going to have to wait for the 12-year signing cycle, and assign numbers as part of the corridor sign upgrades.

[dvferyance]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

[thspfc]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

[mgk920]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

The east-west part across Appleton through Kaukauna especially, volume-related slowdowns are fast becoming S.O.P. on it.



Mike

[SEWIGuy]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

Not overkill in the least.  It is a very busy stretch that is likely to grow busier as the Kaukauna and Green Bay areas grow even closer together.  Expanding current interstate corridors should be a priority for Wisconsin right now.  There are many places where expanding the number of lanes would be wise investments.

[Big John]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

The east-west part across Appleton through Kaukauna especially, volume-related slowdowns are fast becoming S.O.P. on it.



Mike

And Outagamie County wanting to reduce the speed limit there to 55 MPH.

[mgk920]

One item in that particular veto, and I am kind of in agreement with it, is that it was calling for such a study to include potentially adding new access interchanges at various specific named points between Appleton and Green Bay.  Several of those would never pass muster with the design standards of the Interstate Highway system, these mainly relating to minimum interchange spacing.  Had it been worded in a much more open and generic manner such as "and adding any other potential new access points", it likely would have been signed along with the rest of the budget.  The long seriously and actively proposed South (Fox River) Crossing bridge in De Pere will likely require a design exception in that its I-41 interchange would otherwise be way too close to Scheuring Rd (I believe that a set of auxiliary and/or C/D lanes are planned as a part of it).  It is planned to connect where that east frontage road curves away from the I-41 mainline going northbound.

Mike

[20160805]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

The east-west part across Appleton through Kaukauna especially, volume-related slowdowns are fast becoming S.O.P. on it.



Mike

And Outagamie County wanting to reduce the speed limit there to 55 MPH.

That's kinda 'tarded, if you ask me.  I read once that the average moving speed on this section (i.e. when relatively free flowing) is 75 mph, so reducing the limit to that would mean the average person on that stretch of road is now going 20 mph over the limit.  Sounds like a huge cash cow for the cops with no benefit to Joe Traveler.

[SEWIGuy]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

The east-west part across Appleton through Kaukauna especially, volume-related slowdowns are fast becoming S.O.P. on it.



Mike

And Outagamie County wanting to reduce the speed limit there to 55 MPH.

That's kinda 'tarded, if you ask me.  I read once that the average moving speed on this section (i.e. when relatively free flowing) is 75 mph, so reducing the limit to that would mean the average person on that stretch of road is now going 20 mph over the limit.  Sounds like a huge cash cow for the cops with no benefit to Joe Traveler.

Please don't use that phrase. 

[mgk920]

I do remember a while back when WisDOT did a survey on the average 'clear traffic' speeds of vehicles on the state's highway system and it was found that the fastest highway in all of Wisconsin was (then) US 41 between Kaukauna and De Pere.



Mike

[thspfc]

I do remember a while back when WisDOT did a survey on the average 'clear traffic' speeds of vehicles on the state's highway system and it was found that the fastest highway in all of Wisconsin was (then) US 41 between Kaukauna and De Pere.



Mike

Now it would be I-39/US-51 from Portage to Stevens Point, I think.

[renegade]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

The east-west part across Appleton through Kaukauna especially, volume-related slowdowns are fast becoming S.O.P. on it.



Mike

And Outagamie County wanting to reduce the speed limit there to 55 MPH.

That's kinda 'tarded, if you ask me.  I read once that the average moving speed on this section (i.e. when relatively free flowing) is 75 mph, so reducing the limit to that would mean the average person on that stretch of road is now going 20 mph over the limit.  Sounds like a huge cash cow for the cops with no benefit to Joe Traveler.

Please don't use that phrase.

I second that.  There's another young person on here that has used a similar phrase in recent days.

[thspfc]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

The east-west part across Appleton through Kaukauna especially, volume-related slowdowns are fast becoming S.O.P. on it.



Mike

And Outagamie County wanting to reduce the speed limit there to 55 MPH.

That's kinda 'tarded, if you ask me.  I read once that the average moving speed on this section (i.e. when relatively free flowing) is 75 mph, so reducing the limit to that would mean the average person on that stretch of road is now going 20 mph over the limit.  Sounds like a huge cash cow for the cops with no benefit to Joe Traveler.

Please don't use that phrase.

I second that.  There's another young person on here that has used a similar phrase in recent days.

RGT?

[Great Lakes Roads]

Just saw a YouTube video of WisDOT studying the use of shoulders on the Madison Beltline for part-time. What do you guys think about this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrDOiiPbBYQ

[thspfc]

That's the first time I've heard that idea. I would like to know why this is the main option versus HOV, HOT, or express lanes, especially since they're going to be redoing the median anyways if they do this project.
One major challenge with the Beltline is that unlike many other urban freeways, the traffic is moving heavily in both directions, rather than one direction in the morning and another in the afternoon, because of all the commuting traffic to Epic in Verona, making many solutions impractical.

[The Ghostbuster]

I think they should just add another lane to the Beltline, instead of using the shoulder during peak hours. Either way, the proposal should include congestion pricing for the shoulder lane. I know that won't happen, but if there is any roadway in the Madison area that I think would benefit from congestion pricing, it is the Beltline.