Why was uS 16 in Wisconsin decomissioned?

[dvferyance]

This is one decommissioning that makes no sense to me. The US 16 segment in Wisconsin in Minnesota is much longer than the current segment in South Dakota and Wyoming that still exist today. Not to mention that it's duplexed with other routes much of it's length. If only one segment of US 16 is still going to exist the WI-MN segment should be the one.

[Max Rockatansky]

I kind of always found it strange that more of US 16 and US 10 weren't kept in the mid-west.  There was a lot of opportunity for surface alternates to the Interstate on US Routes that were taken advantage of out east like with US 1 and 41.  Given the glut of good routes like US 14 and US 12 running intact I would speculate that had a lot to do with it.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

From what I understand, Minnesota and South Dakota wanted to decommission their sections that I-90 had replaced, so they asked Wisconsin to decommission their section in order to make this possible.

I don't have the exact mileage but I'd also bet existing US 16 is still longer than WIS/MN 16. Wyoming is a big state and 16 crosses all of it.

[froggie]

MN/WI 16 is officially around 281 miles (MnDOT doesn't consider MN 16 as concurrent with US 14/61 across the river).

Worland, WY to Rapid City is over 340 miles via US 16, and this doesn't even factor that US 16 continues west of Worland to Yellowstone, albeit concurrent with other routes.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

(MnDOT doesn't consider MN 16 as concurrent with US 14/61 across the river).

But then why did they waste the time and money to fully sign it as doing so if they don't? That's weird...

[SEWIGuy]

WI-16 is also a relatively minor route in Wisconsin serving primarily local traffic. 

[dvferyance]

WI-16 is also a relatively minor route in Wisconsin serving primarily local traffic.

West of the Dells perhaps but east of there it's actually a major route it's even a freeway in some places. Even if the SD/WY segment is longer it's duplexed with another route much of it's length. It's duplexed with 2 routes for a long time into yellow stone then it and another route disappear. I would be in favor of keeping all of the original US 16 west of Waukesha. Sure I know it would have long duplexes with I-90 from Dexter MN to Sioux Falls SD. There it can be routed back on to what's now SD 38 out to Plankinton SD then duplex again with I-90 to Rapid City. I a bit long perhaps but they allow the insanely long US 87 duplex with I-25 and I-90.

[SEWIGuy]

WI-16 is also a relatively minor route in Wisconsin serving primarily local traffic.

West of the Dells perhaps but east of there it's actually a major route it's even a freeway in some places. Even if the SD/WY segment is longer it's duplexed with another route much of it's length. It's duplexed with 2 routes for a long time into yellow stone then it and another route disappear. I would be in favor of keeping all of the original US 16 west of Waukesha. Sure I know it would have long duplexes with I-90 from Dexter MN to Sioux Falls SD. There it can be routed back on to what's now SD 38 out to Plankinton SD then duplex again with I-90 to Rapid City. I a bit long perhaps but they allow the insanely long US 87 duplex with I-25 and I-90.

It is a "major route" from Oconomowoc through the lake country to I-94.  Maybe 8 miles? 

Outside of that it is largely local traffic that parallels interstates almost the entire way.  I realize in that respect it is no different than most of US-12 or US-51 in Wisconsin, but if Minnesota wanted to decommission it (and for good reason), there was no reason for WIDOT to put up a stink.

[dvferyance]

WI-16 is also a relatively minor route in Wisconsin serving primarily local traffic.

West of the Dells perhaps but east of there it's actually a major route it's even a freeway in some places. Even if the SD/WY segment is longer it's duplexed with another route much of it's length. It's duplexed with 2 routes for a long time into yellow stone then it and another route disappear. I would be in favor of keeping all of the original US 16 west of Waukesha. Sure I know it would have long duplexes with I-90 from Dexter MN to Sioux Falls SD. There it can be routed back on to what's now SD 38 out to Plankinton SD then duplex again with I-90 to Rapid City. I a bit long perhaps but they allow the insanely long US 87 duplex with I-25 and I-90.

It is a "major route" from Oconomowoc through the lake country to I-94.  Maybe 8 miles? 

Outside of that it is largely local traffic that parallels interstates almost the entire way.  I realize in that respect it is no different than most of US-12 or US-51 in Wisconsin, but if Minnesota wanted to decommission it (and for good reason), there was no reason for WIDOT to put up a stink.

I would still say it's a major route through Watertown, Columbus, Portage up to the dells. Makes a nice shortcut than taking I-94 to Madison. Is it really a major route through Wyoming? Much of it shares a duplex with either I-90 or US 14 the largest city it serves on it's own is Newcastle population 3,500.

[froggie]

But then why did they waste the time and money to fully sign it as doing so if they don't? That's weird...

Just going off what MnDOT's Logpoint says.  It's been a number of years since I've been down in La Crescent so I couldn't speak to the signage.

Even if the SD/WY segment is longer it's duplexed with another route much of it's length. It's duplexed with 2 routes for a long time into yellow stone then it and another route disappear.

Did you not notice above where I did not factor that concurrent mileage into Yellowstone into the mileage calculation?  16 still came out well longer than MN/WI 16.

And since you mention concurrencies, WI 16 has a lot of concurrencies of its own.

[peterj920]

Wis 16 was added as a new 2030 connector route between Watertown and Pewaukee so it's considered a major route by WISDOT. 

[andy3175]

Is it really a major route through Wyoming? Much of it shares a duplex with either I-90 or US 14 the largest city it serves on it's own is Newcastle population 3,500.

Yes. Two segments are of particular significance: US 16 from Rapid City to Moorcroft and US 16 from Buffalo to Cody. US 16 is one of several options for crossing the Black Hills that connects several tourist areas together. I-90/US 14 steer north of most of the well-known attractions in the Black Hills, offering the best route for through traffic between Rapid City and Gillette. It links Sturgis, Spearfish, and Sundance along the way. US 16 connects Rapid City, Keystone (via US 16A), Mt. Rushmore (via SD 244), Crazy Horse, Custer, Jewel Cave, and Newcastle. Since these areas have high tourist interest and US 16 links to US 16A and SD 87 into other high interest areas (Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, etc.), US 16 sees quite a bit of traffic especially in summer months when visitation to the Black Hills is greatest.

The other major segment of US 16 is between Buffalo and Cody, which is one of four routing choices: US 16, US 14, US 14A, and I-90/US 310/US 14A. The first three choices involve mountain driving by crossing the heights of the Bighorns, while the I-90/US 310 route is much longer yet offers less mountainous terrain to traverse. US 16 is considered by many to be the easiest grade over the Bighorns (when compared to US 14 and US 14A); the combination of US 14 and US 14A is probably the most difficult (lots of switchbacks at either end of the Bighorns). As a result of this, US 16 is a major through route leading from the Powder River Basin to the Big Horn River Basin.

Even though the remaining segments of US 16 are overlapped with other routes that are often more important for through travel (such as I-90 and US 20), it does serve a purpose by offering choices when traveling between two points (whether from Cody to Buffalo or from Moorcroft to Rapid City) and has enough traffic, appropriate design, connectivity, etc. to justify its status as a US highway.

[triplemultiplex]

I would still say it's a major route through Watertown, Columbus, Portage up to the dells. Makes a nice shortcut than taking I-94 to Madison.

Not much of a shortcut to add 20 minutes to one's trip.

I am strongly in favor of demoting US highways that simply follow long stretches of interstate or are concurrent with them across entire states.  I've stated this many times before.
They are no longer of national significance, so I have no problem turning them back into state highways or even county roads in some cases.  I applaud western states for retiring US highways as the interstates came online.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I am strongly in favor of demoting US highways that simply follow long stretches of interstate or are concurrent with them across entire states.  I've stated this many times before.
They are no longer of national significance, so I have no problem turning them back into state highways or even county roads in some cases.  I applaud western states for retiring US highways as the interstates came online.

Is it true that you're the most hated member of this forum?

Just messing of course.

[GeekJedi]

Wis 16 was added as a new 2030 connector route between Watertown and Pewaukee so it's considered a major route by WISDOT. 

Which makes it's State Trunk designation appropriate. The road in general from Milwaukee to Minnesota is a relatively minor, outside of a couple of segments. The section from Watertown to US 51 is dead, and from the Dells to Minnesota is winds around the interstate. "Demoting" it from a US route to a state one makes total sense.

[SSOWorld]

Wis 16 was added as a new 2030 connector route between Watertown and Pewaukee so it's considered a major route by WISDOT. 

Which makes it's State Trunk designation appropriate. The road in general from Milwaukee to Minnesota is a relatively minor, outside of a couple of segments. The section from Watertown to US 51 is dead, and from the Dells to Minnesota is winds around the interstate. "Demoting" it from a US route to a state one makes total sense.

ok then, US-51 should end at Normal, IL, US 41 at I-94 in Waukegan (IL) *cue crying traditionalist*

US Routes are no different from State Routes these days.  They're simply state routes with a different shield design. Interstates have essentially replaced them.

[SEWIGuy]

Wis 16 was added as a new 2030 connector route between Watertown and Pewaukee so it's considered a major route by WISDOT. 

Which makes it's State Trunk designation appropriate. The road in general from Milwaukee to Minnesota is a relatively minor, outside of a couple of segments. The section from Watertown to US 51 is dead, and from the Dells to Minnesota is winds around the interstate. "Demoting" it from a US route to a state one makes total sense.

ok then, US-51 should end at Normal, IL, US 41 at I-94 in Waukegan (IL) *cue crying traditionalist*

US Routes are no different from State Routes these days.  They're simply state routes with a different shield design. Interstates have essentially replaced them.

US routes are largely state routes with common numbers.  Since Minnesota and South Dakota wanted to remove US-16, "demoting" it to a state route largely made sense.

If Illinois and Wisconsin wanted to do the same with US-51, I'd be fine with that.

[GeekJedi]

Wis 16 was added as a new 2030 connector route between Watertown and Pewaukee so it's considered a major route by WISDOT. 

Which makes it's State Trunk designation appropriate. The road in general from Milwaukee to Minnesota is a relatively minor, outside of a couple of segments. The section from Watertown to US 51 is dead, and from the Dells to Minnesota is winds around the interstate. "Demoting" it from a US route to a state one makes total sense.

ok then, US-51 should end at Normal, IL, US 41 at I-94 in Waukegan (IL) *cue crying traditionalist*

US Routes are no different from State Routes these days.  They're simply state routes with a different shield design. Interstates have essentially replaced them.

You get no argument from me. I guess my point is that WI probably would have left it as a US route had Minnesota not requested it, because "meh". The fact remains that outside of a few local "connector" segments, it's not nearly as important of a road as it was in the pre-interstate days.

[SEWIGuy]

WI-16 could really be largely eliminated without much trouble.

Between LaCrosse and Sparta - replaced with WI-21 extention
Between Sparta and Tomah - county highway
Between Tomah and WI Dells - eliminated due to duplex with US-12
Between Dells and Columbus - replaced with WI-89 extention
Between Columbus and Watertown - eliminated due to duplexes with WI-60 and WI-26
Between Watertown and I-94 - replaced with WI-19 extention

[The Ghostbuster]

I still think of WI 16 as Old US 16. I always will.

[dvferyance]

WI-16 could really be largely eliminated without much trouble.

Between LaCrosse and Sparta - replaced with WI-21 extention
Between Sparta and Tomah - county highway
Between Tomah and WI Dells - eliminated due to duplex with US-12
Between Dells and Columbus - replaced with WI-89 extention
Between Columbus and Watertown - eliminated due to duplexes with WI-60 and WI-26
Between Watertown and I-94 - replaced with WI-19 extention

You can combine a lot of routes like WI-164 and WI-144 just duplex the two ends with I-41. Personally I am getting tired of all these routing changes. I just noticed a few months ago WI-74 is gone. I am thinking why now? Why not at least wait another year when the next edition of the state map comes out. The 2015-2016 edition is already out of date and it's still 2016. I don't get why it was even done away with at all in the first place. Nothing at least I am aware of has added as a state highway anywhere in the area. What's the trade off here?

[triplemultiplex]

Is it true that you're the most hated member of this forum?

Just messing of course.

People loves them some nostalgia. 

[Alps]

Why not bring back US 16 in Michigan? I'm a proponent of keeping routes around as long as there's a maintained through route (so, not so much US 66 in the Southwest, sadly).

[Max Rockatansky]

Why not bring back US 16 in Michigan? I'm a proponent of keeping routes around as long as there's a maintained through route (so, not so much US 66 in the Southwest, sadly).

Grand River is basically intact, I never understood why it never went back to being numbered M-16 like was before the US Route system. 

[GeekJedi]

WI-16 could really be largely eliminated without much trouble.

Between LaCrosse and Sparta - replaced with WI-21 extention
Between Sparta and Tomah - county highway
Between Tomah and WI Dells - eliminated due to duplex with US-12
Between Dells and Columbus - replaced with WI-89 extention
Between Columbus and Watertown - eliminated due to duplexes with WI-60 and WI-26
Between Watertown and I-94 - replaced with WI-19 extention

You can combine a lot of routes like WI-164 and WI-144 just duplex the two ends with I-41. Personally I am getting tired of all these routing changes. I just noticed a few months ago WI-74 is gone. I am thinking why now? Why not at least wait another year when the next edition of the state map comes out. The 2015-2016 edition is already out of date and it's still 2016. I don't get why it was even done away with at all in the first place. Nothing at least I am aware of has added as a state highway anywhere in the area. What's the trade off here?

The trade off is additional mileage for US 18 when it moves to the Les Paul Parkway. And because the village of Menominee Falls requested the removal.