August 1, 2024

By Lane Kimble

WisDOT appears ready to send a plan to expand a lengthy and crucial stretch of interstate to the feds for approval.

This week, the Department held three public information meetings about its proposed I-39/90/94 expansion.  The 67-mile stretch runs between Madison and Wisconsin Dells.

Plans would add an extra lane in each direction, creating an eight-lane freeway from Madison to where I-39 splits off, while expanding the freeway to six lanes between the split and The Dells.

WisDOT will present its plan to the Federal Highway Administration.  Pending swift FHWA approval, the state’s Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) could vote to recommend it for inclusion in the 2025-27 state budget.

Current cost estimates put the project at $3.8 billion, which is almost certain to grow with inflation.

SEC. THOMPSON FILES AUGUST TPC REPORT

Meanwhile, Thursday’s twice-annual TPC report provided just a few updates on the state’s Major and Southeast Mega programs.

The US 51 study between Madison’s Beltline and Sun Prairie is in the environmental analysis stage.  Any possible construction likely won’t come there until late this decade, the report said.

Studies to convert US 151 in Dodge County into a freeway and expand US 18/151 west of Verona are underway with public input sessions likely appearing in 2025.

A fourth study, looking into alleviating severe congestion on the Beltline, is also ongoing.