Coordination plan for US 51 study (Stoughton to McFarland) now available for public review

November 24, 2008

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WISDOT) Southwest Region in Madison is announcing the availability of the draft Coordination Plan (DCP) and Impact Analysis Methodology (IAM) for the US 51 (Stoughton to McFarland) corridor study. Copies of the DCP and IAM are available for review through Dec. 24, 2008, at the public libraries in Stoughton and McFarland and the town halls for Albion, Dunkirk, Dunn, Pleasant Springs, and Rutland townships. The draft documents are also posted on the project Web site www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/d1/us51corridor/index.htm. 

Coordination plans and IAMs are required under the federal law, Section 6002 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU 6002) for studies such as US 51 because an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared. Lead agencies for proposed federally funded transportation projects must establish a plan for coordinating public and agency participation during the environmental review process, and communicate and document the structured approach to analyzing impacts of the proposed transportation project and its alternatives.

The US 51 coordination plan provides a framework for the interaction between Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and WisDOT with the public and other agencies throughout the course of the study. Opportunities for input from the public and other agencies and specific coordination points and timeframes are identified in the plan. The impact methodology provides the methods and level of detail used to analyze impacts.

The US 51 study corridor extends approximately 19 miles, beginning at I-39/90 east of Stoughton and extending through Stoughton and McFarland to US 12/18 (Madison South Beltline), Dane County, Wisconsin. Communities in the study area are the towns of Albion, Dunkirk, Dunn, Pleasant Springs, and Rutland, the city of Stoughton, and the village of McFarland.

The US 51 Corridor Study will evaluate alternatives to improve vehicular traffic flow and safety and address facilities for bicycles and pedestrians. The study will examine capacity and safety improvements on rural portions of US 51 in the study area as well as potential operational improvements in the village of McFarland and the city of Stoughton. Transportation needs have already been established with input from FHWA, WisDOT, local government, and the public based on efforts beginning in 2002. These earlier efforts resulted in agreement the study will consider improvements on highways other than US 51 to address the needs of travelers moving between the southeast portion of Dane County and the city of Madison area as alternatives to major capacity improvements on US 51.

The public is encouraged to review the US 51 coordination plan and provide input. Contact Project Manager Jeff Berens at (608) 245-2656.  Written comments regarding the coordination plan can be mailed to Jeff Berens, WisDOT, 2101 Wright Street, WI  53704.

For more information, contact:
Jeff Berens, WisDOT Project Manager
(608) 245-2656, jeff.berens@wisconsin.gov

Michael Bie, Regional Communications Manager
(608) 246-7928, michael.bie@wisconsin.gov