What is the study about?
The study is an approximate 18-month planning level effort with three main components:
- A clearinghouse location for significant environmental, social, demographic, and transportation related data and information.
- An operational and safety analysis report to clearly identify corridor deficiencies.
- Recommended alternatives to improve the operations and safety conditions, as well as to extend the functional life of the existing two-lane facility.
Why is the study being done now?
As part of the US Highway System, US 14 is a major regional highway serving southwestern Wisconsin and is the major direct link between Madison and La Crosse.
US 14, between Madison and La Crosse, is identified as a WisDOT Corridors 2030 Connector Route. This designation places a high priority in protecting these highway investments that connect major economic/population centers and carry regional, long-distance, statewide, and inter-state traffic.
As traffic increases and more nearby land is developed along such highways, experience around the state has demonstrated that unmanaged and unprotected highways can deteriorate quickly in terms of reduced operations and safety. In addition, development increases the cost for new right of way significantly and/or locations available for necessary road alterations are reduced.
In this section of US 14, the greatest functional concerns for WisDOT are the existing at-grade intersections. As traffic increases over time, it will become increasingly difficult to turn on, off, and to cross the highway in a safe manner.
What are the strategies and recommendations of the study?
The transportation safety management portion of the study will recommend long-term strategies to prolong the useful life of the existing US 14 roadway for as long as possible.
The entire corridor will be evaluated as one system, and recommendations could include opportunities to consolidate, relocate, or remove access as land use patterns change, identify alternate routes and opportunities to preserve the function of US 14, and potential improvements that address intersection safety and operations. By using a system approach, recommendations can be implemented in stages as needs arise.
In addition, once all of the recommendations are implemented, they will function well together because they are developed collaboratively.
Will the study recommend adding more lanes or bypasses?
No, this study is not a capacity expansion project (adding lanes).
The goal of the study is to identify opportunities to maintain the function of US 14 in its current configuration for as long as possible. In addition, because the focus is maximizing the useful life of the existing roadway, this study does not include bypass alternatives.
Local communities may wish to coordinate with WisDOT for advice on local initiatives to identify and preserve bypass corridors if desired.
When would construction occur?
This study is intended as a source of information to aid in making future transportation decisions. There are no immediate plans or allocated funds for construction at this time.
How is this study related to the programmed improvements in 2009?
None of the current programmed construction projects are directly related to this study. The current improvements involve routine maintenance needs and a need to address sub-standard safety and operations at WIS 78 and US 14.
WisDOT plans to:
- Reconstruct a short portion of this corridor near Mazomanie.
- Realign/straighten the WIS 78 connection to US 14.
- Improve the intersection at WIS 78 and US 14.
- Resurface the roadway from where the reconstruction will end in Cross Plains and extend it to Middleton
These improvements, however, were designed to fit into the type of long-term vision we expect this study to bring forth for the existing two-lane facility, thus minimizing the potential for having to demolish and reconstruct any of these improvements before they reach the average lifespan.
I live along US 14, how will the study affect my property?
Because there are no immediate construction activities planned as part of the study, only short-term improvements to address immediate safety issues could occur. We expect very minimal affects to adjacent property. In addition, potential short-term improvements (if any) would likely be minor in scale.
How do I stay informed about the project?
If you received information in the mail you are already included in the project mailing list and will automatically receive future project mailings. Other opportunities to be added to the mailing list include signing in at the Public Involvement Meetings or contacting the project managers.
How is this study related to the WisDOT US 14 West - (WIS 80 Richland Center to WIS 78 Mazomanie)?
We consider them sister studies, both with very similar goals and timelines, but with different study teams and study specifics. The US 14 West study is about three months ahead of this study. WisDOT has ensured some project study team overlap and both teams are kept up-to-date on relevant information from the other study.
Who do I contact with questions?
For additional information or to be included on the study mailing list please contact:
Tom Koprowski, WisDOT Study Manager
(608) 246-3869
thomas.koprowski@dot.wi.gov