December 10, 2024

By Lane Kimble

MADISON, Wis. — A critical but aging corridor that Wisconsin families, commuters, truckers, and vacationers all depend on is a step closer to getting billions of dollars in upgrades.

Monday, the Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) unanimously approved adding the I-39/90/94 expansion project to next year’s state budget process.

The project would add a lane in both directions of the interstate along a 67-mile stretch between Madison and Wisconsin Dells.  It would also improve 15 interchanges, build three new ones, and replace dozens of bridges.

“This route is one of, if not the most important routes in the state,” Bureau of State Highway Programs Director Scott Schoenmann told the TPC during the 90-minute meeting.

Anywhere from 40,000 to 109,000 vehicles travel at least a portion of this interstate daily.  About 25% of that traffic is freight, valued at $120 billion last year, according to WisDOT.

The freeway was built in the 1960s and has grown more congested and less safe over the years, averaging 2 ½ crashes daily.  In addition to pavement and ramps needing replacement, more than half of the 113 bridges in the project zone are near the end of their useful lives.

“These projects focus on very busy routes that will not be able to safely keep up with the travel demands in the coming years,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said.  “We must step in and fix it so that we can keep our travelers safe long into the future.”

Fixing these problems, though, comes with a big price tag: an estimated $3.7 billion.  It could also take until 2051 to complete, but Schoenmann called that a “worst case” scenario.

The TPC’s approval does not guarantee the project happens, but simply adds it to the budget for the governor and Legislature’s consideration.

Gov. Tony Evers will introduce his version of the budget in late-February or early March.

“I’m committed in the next budget to make sure that we have adequate funding to make sure we have a modern transportation system,” Evers said.

US 51 PROJECT IN DANE COUNTY GETS GREEN LIGHT

The TPC also approved a $174 million rehabilitation of 5 ½ miles of US 51, running from Highway 30 north to the I-39/90/94 interchange on Madison’s far-east side.

Unlike I-39/90/94, the Commission’s approval allows work to begin immediately on US 51 because it is considered a “High-Cost Rehabilitation” project.  Plans include rebuilding intersections to improve safety, adding separated and longer left-turn lanes, and retooling signal timing.  This version does not include expanding the highway, which would’ve added to the cost.

The committee voted 12-1 in favor of the US 51 project, with Senator Cory Tomczyk (R-Mosinee) voting against it.