US 12/18 Freeway Conversion Study

Project location | Project overview | Schedule | Status/phase | Contact information

​Project location

US 12/18, I-39/90 (Madison) to County N (Cottage Grove), in Dane County.

Project overview

  • Extends approximately 3.5 miles.
  • Identify the preferred alternative for converting US 12/18 from a 4-lane expressway to a 4-lane freeway.
    • An expressway is a high-speed divided highway with partial access control. At-grade intersections, median crossovers, and some driveways are allowed.
    • A freeway is also a high-speed divided highway, but direct access is allowed only at interchanges.
  • Overpasses and frontage roads are used to provide connections for local traffic and to direct vehicles to the interchanges.
  • Possible alternatives include:
    • Addition of interchanges
    • Grade-separated overpasses
    • Frontage roads to connect local roadways
  • Alternatives will be evaluated to determine the level of safety improvement, costs, right of way needs, land use, and environmental and local impacts.
  • Evaluate the impacts of converting US 12/18 to a freeway and prepare an Environmental Assessment to document the impacts.
  • Identify right of way needs for the recommended alternative and preserve and map the corridor under Wisconsin State Statute 84.295.​

Schedule

For more information on Public Involvement Meetings (PIM), hearings and other public activities, visit public involvement page.

Upcoming

  • No meetings currently scheduled.

Past

2016

  • April 7, 2016 – PIM for I-39/90 and US 12/18 (Beltline) interchange
  • February 2016 – Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) approval

2015

2014

  • Spring 2014 – Draft EA submittal

2013

  • Dec. 12, 2013 – Stakeholder meeting with Town of Cottage Grove
  • Dec. 11, 2013 – Stakeholder meeting with Ho-Chunk Nation
  • Dec. 10, 2013 – Stakeholder meeting with City of Madison
  • Nov. 19, 2013 – Third PIM
  • Nov. 6, 2013 – Stakeholder meeting with Dane County

  • Aug. 6, 2013 – Stakeholder meeting with Ho-Chunk Nation
  • July 9, 2013 – Stakeholder meeting with Town of Cottage Grove
  • June 26, 2013 – Stakeholder meeting with Dane County
  • June 19, 2013 – Stakeholder meeting with City of Madison
  • June 6, 2013 – Stakeholder meeting with City of Madison

 

  • April 24, 2013 – Second PIM
  • April 22, 2013 – Stakeholder meeting with Ho-Chunk Nation
  • April 10, 2013 – Stakeholder meeting with Dane County
  • April 3, 2013 – Local officials/resource agency meeting


2012

  • Oct. 23, 2012 – Stakeholder meeting with Ho-Chunk Nation
  • Oct. 1, 2012 – Stakeholder meeting with the city of Madison and Dane County
  • July 31, 2012 – PIM
  • June 18, 2012 – Operational Planning Meeting/Local officials meeting

Status/phase

Study

Contact information​

Kim Schauder, P.E.
WisDOT Project Supervisor
(608) 884-1222
kimberly.schauder@dot.wi.gov

Michael Bie
WisDOT Southwest Region Communications Manager
(608) 246-7928
michael.bie@dot.wi.gov

Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
Southwest Region, Madison Office
2101 Wright St.
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: (608) 246-3800
Fax: (608) 246-3843
TTY: 711
Email: swr.dtsd@dot.wi.gov