WIS 29 freeway conversion study

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WIS 29 freeway conversion

The WIS 29 corridor is one of Wisconsin's most important transportation routes. The majority of the 203-mile corridor is a four-lane, divided highway with a 65 mph speed limit.

Currently, WIS 29 is classified as a freeway from I-94 in Dunn County to the Bruce Mound Avenue intersection east of Thorp in Clark County. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northwest region is studying the potential of designating a 23-mile section of WIS 29 as a freeway from Bruce Mound Avenue to the east Clark County line.

Designating WIS 29 as a freeway does not mean immediate physical changes to the highway. Construction of overpasses or changes to public highway access would not occur until well after the freeway designation is made, in most cases 10, 15 or 20 years. Additionally, physical changes would not occur without public and local government input.

Freeway designation is part of a long-term planning process in which:

Grade separations are identified along with possible interchange locations where current at-grade intersections would be closed.
Local road connections between grade separations and possible interchanges are analyzed.
Communities along the corridor are able to make better land use decisions and plan for future development.

After designating this segment of WIS 29 as a freeway, an official transportation map will be developed and recorded in Clark county. This map will show the preserved right-of-way needed to actually convert WIS 29 to a freeway.

Information obtained from this study, and subsequent studies, will assist in WisDOT's long-term planning efforts to maintain and preserve a safe and efficient transportation system.

Aerial photo of WIS 29 freeway conversion study area.