FAQ
How long is the corridor?
It is 3.5 miles long.
What is the schedule and how long will it take to build?
- Construction is still anticipated to begin in 2025 and last approximately 8 years.
- Construction in 2025 will include utility relocation, east leg prep work and the start of west leg construction. West leg work will continue into 2028.
- Work on the east leg and stadium interchange will begin in 2027 and continue through 2033.
This corridor has been talked about for a long time. Is it really going to be built this time?
Yes, the project has been studied since the 1990s but this time it has been approved for funding by both the Governor and State Legislature. In addition, WisDOT and FHWA have issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD) and the project is moving into the final design and construction phases.
Will graves need to be moved?
- No graves will be moved.
- The roadway lanes and shoulders will be slightly narrowed for a very short distance between General Mitchell Boulevard and Hawley Road. Lane width will transition from 12 feet, to 11 feet, and back to 12 feet. The total length of transition is about 1,400 feet. At freeway speed, it will take about 17 seconds to drive though the transition area. At the narrowest point, where the lanes are 11 feet wide, driving through will be instantaneous.
- There are currently much longer sections of 11-foot lanes in the corridor and they are performing well.
- In addition, the Hawley Road ramps to and from the east will be eliminated.
Is there anything that works to slow down all the reckless driving and speeding?
Safety on the roads is everyone’s responsibility and reckless driving is a complex issue with many causes. We need everyone to do their part to change the culture of dangerous driving – slow down, avoid distractions, and be patient in traffic. WisDOT is continuously working to solve the challenge of reckless driving from all angles – engineering, enforcement, and education. Some engineering solutions on local roads include bump outs, speed humps, and other efforts.
Why is it being constructed?
- Deteriorated pavement and bridges.
- Obsolete roadway and bridge design.
- Safety: average crash rate two to three times higher than statewide average.
- Existing and future traffic demand.
Why is moving the exits and entrances to the right so important?
Modern design standards for interstate highways and modern practice is to have all of the entrances and exits on the right side of the roadway to create the most efficient and safe freeway. This is also what drivers have come to expect.
Why can’t you just build a reversible/commuter lane?
The eastbound and westbound traffic volumes about the same during the morning and afternoon commute periods. In March 2024, the volumes were calculated as follows:
- Morning: 52.2% westbound / 47.8% eastbound
- Afternoon: 50.6% westbound / 49.4% eastbound
