December 19, 2023
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. — For the first time in more than 10 years, the state Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) recommended two new potential Major projects for study.
Wednesday, the TPC approved looking at expanding the US 18/151 bypass around Verona while also turning the highway from Verona to Dodgeville into a freeway.
Additionally, it approved studying the possibility of converting US 151 between Columbus and Waupun into freeway.
The 15-member Commission approved both studies on unanimous voice votes.
“The projects that we’re considering today have a direct impact on safety and will improve travel efficiency along two major corridors that are critical for freight, including many agricultural projects,” Gov. Tony Evers said during the meeting.
DETAILS ABOUT BOTH RECOMMENDED STUDIES
HIGHWAY 18/151: The Verona bypass portion would make approximately seven miles of four-lane divided highway into six lanes. Projections show traffic volume could jump from 25,000-42,000 vehicles per day to as many as 56,000 vehicles per day by 2042. Much of that increase is tied to the nearby Epic campus, which continues to grow exponentially. The Verona to Dodgeville portion would eliminate at-grade crossings along the 28-mile stretch. MORE INFO ON 18/151
US-151: Safety and increasing volumes play into the Department’s recommendation to study Highway 151 from Columbus to Waupun. Traffic volumes are projected to jump (on the high end) from 24,000 per day to 28,000. The corridor has also seen many accidents over the years, with five deadly crashes in 2023 alone. MORE INFO ON US-151
Despite the unanimous votes, the Commission did push for more information about other potential studies and how WisDOT arrived at its recommendation of these two.
Division of Transportation Infrastructure Management Justin Shell explained the five regions recommend 30 possible projects, which the Department whittled down to eight. Shell says staff looks at factors such as safety, travel time benefits, economic development, and route connectivity before choosing studies to send along to the TPC.
In addition to voting on the two project studies, the TPC heard updates on current and upcoming Major and Southeast Mega projects.
Notably, WisDOT said the I-39/90/94Wisconsin River Bridges went up 4.6% in cost due to inflation. The Department intends to let that project in April 2024.
The I-94 East-West Corridor (expanding to eight lanes past American Family Field) is estimated to cost $1.465 billion. WisDOT expects to receive a final Environmental Impact Statement in early 2024 and then that project will begin to appear on SE Mega Program tables.
“While this is one component of the transportation area, it is where our big projects are, that there is significant taxpayer dollars, so it is very important, I think, that we get together on a bipartisan basis,” Sec. Craig Thompson said.
