Burlington bypass project need - Wisconsin Department of Transportation

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Burlington bypass project

Need

Burlington bypass project - need

WIS 36, WIS 11, WIS 83 and WIS 142 are major links in the transportation system serving southeastern Wisconsin. These highways connect commercial, industrial, tourism, residential and agricultural resources throughout a seven-county area that contains 37 percent of the state's population.

High traffic volumes (including high truck percentages), crash rates above statewide averages, at-grade rail crossings and substandard roadway design adversely affect the highway system's level of service through the Burlington community.

Existing two-lane segments of WIS 36, WIS 11 and WIS 83 in the city of Burlington are designed to handle up to 13,000 vehicles per day. They currently handle over 15,000 vehicles per day, and that number is expected to grow up to 23,000 vehicles per day by 2020.

Urban crash rates on WIS 36 and WIS 83 have increased two to three times the statewide average for similar highways over a three-year period from 1998 to 2001.

Delays due to crashes and roadway deficiencies increase travel time and operating costs. Additional factors that contribute to delays on WIS 36 and WIS 11 include:

Several signalized and stop sign controlled intersections.
At-grade railroad crossings that currently handle 35 trains a day.
Location of river crossings that require traffic to travel through downtown Burlington.

The Burlington community identified key transportation needs during an extensive public involvement period. The needs included:

Providing transportation improvements with minimal impact to the community and environment.
Reducing truck traffic through the city.
Addressing safety concerns and substandard roadway design.
Improving access to area businesses and planned development.
Addressing existing and future capacity problems.

Land use plans for the Burlington community show industrial, commercial and residential expansion on the city's south side. Currently, access to this area from WIS 36, WIS 11 and WIS 83 requires following indirect routes through the city. The bypass will assist motorists in safely and directly reaching their destinations while facilitating planned future economic growth.

Additionally, downtown Burlington is oriented toward pedestrian traffic and street parking to serve adjacent businesses, schools, churches and community resources. As traffic increases and industrial park expansion brings more trucks into the area, congestion will increase. This will result in an incompatible situation between the need to preserve pedestrian safety and retain street parking, and the need to provide additional roadway capacity.

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