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Burlington bypass project - alternatives

Eastern | Southern | Western | Northern

A broad range of initial bypass alternatives east, south and west of the city were evaluated during the Burlington bypass study. These alternatives were developed through extensive environmental and engineering data gathering, project workshops and comments received through the public involvement process.

A preferred alternative was selected to provide the best local, regional and statewide transportation service as well as minimize environmental impacts along the new corridor.

Preferred alternative in eastern segment: Alignment A

Alignment A was selected as the preferred alignment for the bypass' eastern segment due to its benefits to the Burlington community and transportation system.

This alignment has fewer access points (conflict points) that will allow traffic to flow more smoothly and safely at increased speeds. Alignment A also had the least amount of impact on wetlands and other environmental features.

Southbound WIS 36/83 traffic will be provided a direct, through access onto Alignment A, rather than a required left-hand turn as proposed in other alternatives.

Preferred alternative in southern segment: Alignment C

Alignment C is located in a rural area and will provide direct access to WIS 83. It was found to provide the most benefits to the transportation system and have the least amount of overall impacts to the community.

Preferred alternative in western segment: Alignment F

Alignment F was the only alternative presented in the western segment in the Draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and at the public hearing.

There is overall public and agency support for this alignment, however, there was public concern about agricultural land impacts. To address these concerns, access easements will be provided, if possible, in the final right-of-way plat to minimize the effects of farmland severances, and attempts to minimize cut and fill slopes will be made during the engineering phase of this project.

Northern bypass alternative evaluation

A northern bypass was also studied. It was found that this alternative would not provide through traffic connections to WIS 83 south, WIS 142 or County P, nor would it provide convenient access to the industrial park located on the city of Burlington's south side.

The 1988 origin-destination study demonstrated that a northern bypass would handle less than one-third of the traffic that the east, south and west bypass alternatives would handle. In addition, a northern bypass would impact a large amount of environmental resources located north of the city of Burlington.

Therefore, a northern bypass will not be studied further.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Dennis Shook, sewicommuter@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: November 5, 2008