Wisconsin notes

[tchafe1978]

The left exit from SB 39/90/94 probably is fine, since there isn't a ton of traffic heading east from HWY 30 to 94. But the ramp I use the most, WB 94 to SB 39/90 can sometimes be a white knuckler. There is a lot more traffic heading SB and to try to merge over into the left lane out of a short merge lane into 70+ mph traffic makes me nervous sometimes.

[The Ghostbuster]

I dislike left-hand exit and entrance ramps. With the proposed reconstruction of the Badger Interchange, the new interchange will take up less space than if the left-hand ramps were maintained. As a plus, the only building that will have to be demolished is the shed in the median on the north side of the interchange.

[mgk920]

The freeway-to-freeway ramps to and from the US 151 freeway are a definite plus. The proposed diamond interchange between Interstate 39/90/94 and the E. Washington Ave. segment of US 151, will definitely take some getting used to once its constructed.

I like using the I-41/WI 29/Shawano Ave ('Shawano' interchange) complex in the Green Bay area as the model for that.

Mike

[mgk920]

The freeway-to-freeway ramps to and from the US 151 freeway are a definite plus. The proposed diamond interchange between Interstate 39/90/94 and the E. Washington Ave. segment of US 151, will definitely take some getting used to once its constructed.

I also like that it extends Washington Ave as a Madison city street rather than feeding it directly into the US 151 freeway.

Mike

[peterj920]

Right now I-39/90/94 badly needs resurfacing between Lien Rd and US 151. It's scheduled for next year but that stretch is extremely rough and there were some pretty big potholes last week that have since been filled.

[triplemultiplex]

Having spent most of my AARoads hiatus commuting thru the Badger Interchange, the left exits gotta go.  They consistently create slowdowns during peak hours.

Moreover, 39/90 will operate much better if it adds and subtracts a fourth lane from the right at both the Beltline Interchange and the Badger Interchange.
Something I noticed is because the rightmost lane SB becomes exit only for the Beltline, trucks tend to camp in the middle lane starting as far north as the East Town Interchange so they don't get 'stuck' in an exit only lane. That's enough of an obstacle, but on top of that, those middle lane trucks are constantly getting slowed down by the hill climb between the East Town and Badger Interchanges.

Modernizing the Badger Interchange will also get those Milwaukee-bound trucks out of the left or middle lane SB.

[dvferyance]

Frankly I don't get why they won't even tolerate just a little extra millage in the SE region where much of the state's population is.

I agree. In fact, While I understand the statute (it's to prevent wasting money by allowing WisDOT to just "claim" as many roads as they wish) it's really counterintuitive and leads to games like this. Let them commission and decommission as needed. Honestly it would probably save money by not "banking" roads to keep the mileage as close to maximum as possible at any given time.

For what purpose would expanding the system's mileage serve? To help with navigation? To place more highway construction and maintenance under the direct control of WIDOT? Both?

Because unless you are going to create more revenue, all this does is move less money that is currently directed to city, town and county governments through a variety of aid programs. Does that actually help the overall transportation system?

If it's for simply navigation purposes, and the "state highway system" is decoupled from "state highway funding" in some cases, I could see where that makes some sense. Maybe?

Anyway, I just want to understand the point.

I don't think many more additions are needed in fact with maybe one or two exceptions (like Green County M from the stateline to WI-11) the entire system is fine outside the SE region. And with the exception of the SE part of the state many county roads are very similar to state roads. You really don't even see the difference. Not so much the case for the SE. For instance Hwy S is Kenosha County has become a major route it should be part of WI-142 again.

[dvferyance]

The freeway-to-freeway ramps to and from the US 151 freeway are a definite plus. The proposed diamond interchange between Interstate 39/90/94 and the E. Washington Ave. segment of US 151, will definitely take some getting used to once its constructed.

So the half interchange at High Crossing Blvd is going away?

[Great Lakes Roads]

The freeway-to-freeway ramps to and from the US 151 freeway are a definite plus. The proposed diamond interchange between Interstate 39/90/94 and the E. Washington Ave. segment of US 151, will definitely take some getting used to once its constructed.

So the half interchange at High Crossing Blvd is going away?

From the I-39/90/94 project website:
"High Crossing Boulevard will remain a half diamond interchange, but the ramps to/from the south will have improved separation to address congestion and safety concerns."

So, to answer your question, it will NOT be going away.

https://www.i399094project.wisconsindot.gov/

[on_wisconsin]

WisDOT has launched a new construction website recently called Projects Hub. It still appears to be a work in progress, especially the interactive map, and it's still missing several projects. Hopefully, it will be a nice replacement for the current mess of 511wi and WisDOT sites for finding construction project stuff once it is out of beta: projects.hub.wisconsindot.gov

[WisJohn]

https://www.wmtv15news.com/video/2025/05/07/wisconsin-dot-block-access-cth-k-ush-18151-near-barneveld/

The US 18-151 intersection with CTH K near Barneveled is being closed off after two fatal crashes within the last two weeks. Maybe this will be the impetus to get the freeway conversion study moving along to actual construction sooner than later.

I was through Barneveld yesterday headed to Madison and noticed that exit 58 on 18/151 is signed for both County ID and County K, and that the County K intersection is RIRO for eastbound traffic only.

[SSOWorld]

https://www.wmtv15news.com/video/2025/05/07/wisconsin-dot-block-access-cth-k-ush-18151-near-barneveld/

The US 18-151 intersection with CTH K near Barneveled is being closed off after two fatal crashes within the last two weeks. Maybe this will be the impetus to get the freeway conversion study moving along to actual construction sooner than later.

I was through Barneveld yesterday headed to Madison and noticed that exit 58 on 18/151 is signed for both County ID and County K, and that the County K intersection is RIRO for eastbound traffic only.

The K-ID interchange.  I had wished they put it in as ID K, but well, IDK.

[Big John]

https://www.wmtv15news.com/video/2025/05/07/wisconsin-dot-block-access-cth-k-ush-18151-near-barneveld/

The US 18-151 intersection with CTH K near Barneveled is being closed off after two fatal crashes within the last two weeks. Maybe this will be the impetus to get the freeway conversion study moving along to actual construction sooner than later.

I was through Barneveld yesterday headed to Madison and noticed that exit 58 on 18/151 is signed for both County ID and County K, and that the County K intersection is RIRO for eastbound traffic only.

The K-ID interchange.  I had wished they put it in as ID K, but well, IDK.

got my baby goat.

[WisJohn]

https://www.wmtv15news.com/video/2025/05/07/wisconsin-dot-block-access-cth-k-ush-18151-near-barneveld/

The US 18-151 intersection with CTH K near Barneveled is being closed off after two fatal crashes within the last two weeks. Maybe this will be the impetus to get the freeway conversion study moving along to actual construction sooner than later.

I was through Barneveld yesterday headed to Madison and noticed that exit 58 on 18/151 is signed for both County ID and County K, and that the County K intersection is RIRO for eastbound traffic only.

The K-ID interchange.  I had wished they put it in as ID K, but well, IDK.

LOL. They should sign County T also through that interchange, as it is theoretically an unsigned concurrency.

[SEWIGuy]

https://www.wmtv15news.com/video/2025/05/07/wisconsin-dot-block-access-cth-k-ush-18151-near-barneveld/

The US 18-151 intersection with CTH K near Barneveled is being closed off after two fatal crashes within the last two weeks. Maybe this will be the impetus to get the freeway conversion study moving along to actual construction sooner than later.

I was through Barneveld yesterday headed to Madison and noticed that exit 58 on 18/151 is signed for both County ID and County K, and that the County K intersection is RIRO for eastbound traffic only.

The K-ID interchange.  I had wished they put it in as ID K, but well, IDK.

LOL. They should sign County T also through that interchange, as it is theoretically an unsigned concurrency.

There are a ton of CTH unsigned concurrencies in Wisconsin, but I am not sure I have ever seen one on a BGS. I could be wrong though!

[The Ghostbuster]

There are plenty of unsigned County Highways on guide signs along the Beltline in Madison: Exit 251 omits CTH MS; Exit 262 omits CTH MM; Exit 263 omits CTH MC; and Exit 264 omits CTH BW. So, it is not unprecedented to omit County Highway signage.

[mgk920]

I could also see 'non-chargeable' state highways being used as navigational routes here in Wisconsin.  An example could be S Oneida St between US 10/WI 441 and downtown Appleton (non-chargeable WI 510?).

Mike

[SSOWorld]

There are plenty of unsigned County Highways on guide signs along the Beltline in Madison: Exit 251 omits CTH MS; Exit 262 omits CTH MM; Exit 263 omits CTH MC; and Exit 264 omits CTH BW. So, it is not unprecedented to omit County Highway signage.

depending on direction. They're returning (M and S no, but Rimrock has MM back, and Monona Dr has BW returned.

[hobsini2]

I could also see 'non-chargeable' state highways being used as navigational routes here in Wisconsin.  An example could be S Oneida St between US 10/WI 441 and downtown Appleton (non-chargeable WI 510?).

Mike

Non-chargeable routes sounds like a good idea and I would propose using "5xx" for those numbers. The "xx" number should be a "child route". The only numbers in the 500 series I would exclude from using are 539, 541, 543, 590, 594 so that if in the future those numbers could be for Interstates.

So for example I would propose Dodge County A as Wis 526 from Wis 26 to Fox Lake.

[TheCatalyst31]

I could also see 'non-chargeable' state highways being used as navigational routes here in Wisconsin.  An example could be S Oneida St between US 10/WI 441 and downtown Appleton (non-chargeable WI 510?).

Mike

Non-chargeable routes sounds like a good idea and I would propose using "5xx" for those numbers. The "xx" number should be a "child route". The only numbers in the 500 series I would exclude from using are 539, 541, 543, 590, 594 so that if in the future those numbers could be for Interstates.

So for example I would propose Dodge County A as Wis 526 from Wis 26 to Fox Lake.

This would be a good solution for Rock County N, which is effectively a bypass of a state highway already (and with more than double the traffic). Put a WIS 559 shield on it and leave the maintenance as is.

[dvferyance]

https://www.wmtv15news.com/video/2025/05/07/wisconsin-dot-block-access-cth-k-ush-18151-near-barneveld/

The US 18-151 intersection with CTH K near Barneveled is being closed off after two fatal crashes within the last two weeks. Maybe this will be the impetus to get the freeway conversion study moving along to actual construction sooner than later.

I was through Barneveld yesterday headed to Madison and noticed that exit 58 on 18/151 is signed for both County ID and County K, and that the County K intersection is RIRO for eastbound traffic only.

They should just reroute Hwy K through that interchange and culd du sac the old Hwy K intersection completly.

[WisJohn]

https://www.wmtv15news.com/video/2025/05/07/wisconsin-dot-block-access-cth-k-ush-18151-near-barneveld/

The US 18-151 intersection with CTH K near Barneveled is being closed off after two fatal crashes within the last two weeks. Maybe this will be the impetus to get the freeway conversion study moving along to actual construction sooner than later.

I was through Barneveld yesterday headed to Madison and noticed that exit 58 on 18/151 is signed for both County ID and County K, and that the County K intersection is RIRO for eastbound traffic only.

They should just reroute Hwy K through that interchange and culd du sac the old Hwy K intersection completly.

I'd route K on Jones Street through town, mark the interchange as "Cty T, Cty ID, TO: Cty K".

[peterj920]

The Northeast Region puts together an excellent construction update together every 1-2 weeks but other regions don't. It would be great if other regions followed suit. But I'm guessing they all have their little quirks. I also notice that the North Central Region won't sign non-interstate freeways at 70 mph while all other regions do. 

https://projects.511wi.gov/weeklyupdates-ne/

[SSOWorld]

The Northeast Region puts together an excellent construction update together every 1-2 weeks but other regions don't. It would be great if other regions followed suit. But I'm guessing they all have their little quirks. I also notice that the North Central Region won't sign non-interstate freeways at 70 mph while all other regions do. 

https://projects.511wi.gov/weeklyupdates-ne/

NC Region has the slowest speed limits in the states.

[Molandfreak]

Might be worth extending I-39 to Merrill just so they get the point.