Who is conducting the study?
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is working with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to conduct the US 18/151 Corridor Study.
What are you studying?
WisDOT and FHWA are conducting the US 18/151 Corridor Study between the US 18/151 interchange east of Dodgeville and County PD (McKee Road) in Fitchburg. WisDOT will identify project needs and evaluate a range of alternatives to address those needs in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
What is the timeline of the study?
The study team began gathering data in late 2024. An EIS is anticipated to be completed in approximately 2028. Following the completion of the EIS, the project would need to be approved and funded by the Wisconsin State Legislature to move into final design and ultimately, construction. If the project were approved and funded, the earliest construction is expected to begin would be early to mid-2030's.
How would funding be authorized?
Funding for project improvements must be authorized by the State Legislature. The funding process would require the following steps:
- EIS is reviewed and approved by FHWA
- Study is submitted to the Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) for evaluation
- TPC recommends the project for enumeration - officially recommending to add it to the state budget
- The State Legislature and Governor authorize funding for project acquisition and construction
Was there a previous study of this corridor?
A previous environmental study from the US 18/151 interchange at Dodgeville in Iowa County to the West Verona Avenue interchange in Dane County was completed in May 2014. That study recommended a freeway conversion plan.
In 2017, a re-evaluation of the study began but was halted after WisDOT reassessed planning priorities statewide. In 2023, WisDOT submitted a request to the Transportation Projects Commission for further study of this US 18/151 Corridor, and it was approved.
Why are you studying this area again?
The last study was conducted more than a decade ago. The needs of the corridor may have changed over that time. Since the last study, some improvements have been made to the corridor and others are currently in progress. In addition, the communities along the corridor have undergone change. The current study will re-evaluate the current and future needs of the corridor and identify the best possible transportation solution for the corridor.
What is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law on January 1, 1970. NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. The range of actions covered by NEPA is broad, including constructing highways and other publicly owned facilities. Using the NEPA process, agencies evaluate the environmental and related social and economic effects of their proposed actions. Agencies also provide opportunities for public review and comment on those evaluations.
What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?
An EIS is a document that the NEPA requires for federally funded actions that could significantly affect the quality of the human environment. An EIS is a tool for decision-making, detailing a proposed action's positive and negative environmental effects. An EIS typically includes the following content:
- Purpose and need statement: Identifies the purpose of the study and the issues identified with the project area
- Alternatives: Describes alternatives under consideration that could address the purpose and need of the study
- Affect environment: Describes the environment of the area the alternatives could affect
- Environmental consequences: Discusses the environmental effects and their significance
Can the speed limit on the corridor be changed?
Statutory speed limits are established by state law and are based on the classification (or type) of roadway (e.g., 65 mph on expressways). Statutory speed limits in Wisconsin are governed by ss. 346.57, which establishes maximum/minimum speed limits for all roadways. These limits are established legislatively and applied throughout Wisconsin on public roadways. The US 18/151 study corridor is designated freeway and expressway. So, by state law, the posted speed limit throughout most of the corridor is 65 mph. You can learn more about how speed limits are established by visiting
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/local-gov/traffic-ops/speed-management/establishing-speed-limits.aspx.
WisDOT typically would not lower the speed limit of a roadway without either changing the characteristics of that roadway or conducting an engineering and traffic investigation triggered by the statutory speed limit or existing posted speed limit no longer being appropriate due to a change in land use, access, traffic volumes or number of crashes or crash potential along a roadway. The reasoning for this approach is that most drivers tend to operate their vehicles based on the physical characteristics of a roadway, the roadway environment and context. The US 18/151 Corridor is a 4-lane divided rural highway that is fairly wide open with relatively few access points. Posting a lower speed limit creates a greater speed variance between the slowest and fastest vehicles. This speed variance, also called “speed differential,” can contribute to crashes and make the roadway less safe. This increase in speed differential can also lead to aggressive driving, tailgating, unsafe passing, as well as make it more difficult for drivers on side roads to gauge speeds and judge appropriate gaps.
Will there be opportunities for public input?
Public input is an important aspect of the US 18/151 Corridor Study. The study team will actively engage the public and stakeholders in a variety of ways throughout the process. Public Involvement Meetings (PIMs) will be held at key milestones in the study process. The study will also conduct a Public Hearing once the environmental document has been signed. This will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to provide testimony on the information included in the EIS, including the preferred alternative, which is the alternative WisDOT would propose to move forward with and eventually construct. All public meeting dates will be announced on the study website. The public may also submit comments or questions at any time by clicking
Comment Now.
How can I stay involved in the process?
A stakeholder database has been created and will be updated throughout the study. The database includes local officials, businesses, community groups, property owners and interested stakeholders. The database is connected to our subscriber email list, which will provide important study updates. To subscribe to the email list, click
Subscribe. You may also join the stakeholder database by reaching out to the WisDOT Study Manager, Jeff Berens via email or phone.
Who do I contact with questions?
Jeff Berens
WisDOT Study Manager
(608) 245-2656
jeff.berens@dot.wi.gov
Michael Bie
WisDOT Region Communications Manager
(608) 246-7928
michael.bie@dot.wi.gov