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US 51 corridor, south segment - needs assessment

The US 51 (Stoughton to McFarland) Needs Assessment (NA) document analyzed existing conditions along the study corridor. These conditions included traffic volumes, crash history, intersection and roadway geometries, land uses and environmental resources. 

The needs assessment also documented existing and future problems with the road as it exists today and examined the impacts of increasing traffic volumes and land use changes on the corridor. The needs assessment did not examine possible improvements to the road. It was only intended to document the needs of the corridor. 

Based on the findings of the needs assessment, Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has decided to proceed with the next steps in the study process: an alternatives analysis that will identify and evaluate potential corridor improvements and ongoing identification of short-term improvements. Coordination with local officials, businesses, and residents will be essential throughout the process. 

Reasons for study

US 51 was studied from Stoughton to McFarland because: 

• Traffic volumes and traffic congestion have increased, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. 
• The assessment will aid in ensuring the corridor provides safe and efficient travel for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. 

There is about a two-mile gap between Burma Road and Terminal Drive that was not studied in the needs assessment because this portion of the roadway is already four lanes. WisDOT does not envision making major improvements to this section for a significant period of time. 

Goals of study 

Goals of the US 51 NA included: 

• Creating an inventory of existing conditions on the US 51 corridor. 
• Involving the local community to determine existing corridor needs. 
• Forecasting future conditions (traffic volumes and changes in land use) to determine future corridor needs. 
• Presenting the existing and future needs to the public.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Southwest Transportation Region, madison.dtd@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: November 5, 2008