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US 53 Corridor Preservation Study

Benefits | Facts | Impacts to landowners

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has started a corridor preservation process that will officially map the long-term vision of US 53 between Rice Lake and Superior.

US 53 is a backbone route in WisDOT’s Corridors 2020 Plan, and has a segment of the corridor in the National Highway System (NHS). The plan places a high priority in protecting highway investments that connect major economic/population centers and carry long-distance, statewide traffic. Between 1969 and 2006, US 53 has experienced several capacity expansion and safety enhancements between La Crosse and Superior. These improvements represented significant investments by WisDOT.

The US 53 corridor has been recognized as an important route with the desire for conversion to a freeway/expressway initiated as early as the late 1960’s.

US 53 is one of Wisconsin’s most important north-south corridors. The final segment of the four-lane facility between Rice Lake and Superior was completed in 1999.

As communities and traffic volumes along US 53 grow, demand for access along US 53 and concern about safety at access points will continue to increase.

Currently, six intersections along the corridor have higher than acceptable fatality rates from traffic crashes, they include: Barron County V, Washburn County B, Washburn County E, US 63 at Trego, WIS 77 at Minong, and Douglas County B.

The goal of the 75-mile corridor preservation effort is to protect the public investment in US 53 by planning for the long-term mobility and safety needs along the highway.

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Benefits

1. Officially map the vision of the future improvements including future interchange locations, future overpasses/underpasses, and any local road system modifications.
2. Seek to avoid or minimize local impacts to existing homes, businesses and farm operations along the corridor.
3. Seek to avoid or minimize impacts to wetlands, endangered or threatened species or any archeological and historic sites.
4. Work collaboratively with local officials, business owners and residents to identify and plan for the long-term improvements in a manner that benefits all.

Key facts

• The preservation study will examine existing conditions and identify future needs along the US 53 corridor.
• WisDOT will work with communities to identify the locations of future interchanges, overpasses and local road modifications.
• The preservation study team will prepare a report that outlines recommendations, along with preliminary plans and an environmental assessment.
• No construction is scheduled at this time.
• Major steps in preparing these preservation plans include:
  • Gathering existing data such as traffic volumes, crash data and information about existing land use and traffic patterns.
  • Gathering information about future land use, travel demand and corridor improvement needs.
  • Analyzing future improvements in relation to cost, local impacts and environmental impacts.
  • Preparing alternative concept drawings for corridor improvements.

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Impacts to property owners

Landowner impacts are of major concern on Corridor Preservation projects. The US 53 Corridor Preservation Process is guided by State statutes (Wis. Stat. 84.295), which authorize WisDOT to create and update an official map for future freeways and expressways. An official map allows WisDOT to preserve, protect and set aside future right-of-way for US 53 where freeway/expressway design is being planned.

An official map also informs and enables landowners, the public and local agencies to plan their future in ways that will be enhanced by the future highway improvements. WisDOT will map and preserve land required to upgrade US 53 under Wis. Stats. 84.295 including:

• Interchange
• Grade separations (overpass/underpass)
• Removal or alterations to existing public and private access points, including driveways
• Alterations, removals, or additions to the local road system

How does this affect property owners? Official mapping/84.295 does not involve purchasing of property. If a portion of your property falls within the area shown on the WisDOT official map, then you will:

• Receive a formal letter from WisDOT informing you of this.
• Have the official map notification recorded on your property.

The only requirement is that you must notify WisDOT at least 60 days in advance of any alteration to your property or any structure on your property within the mapped right-of-way. Upon receipt of that notification, WisDOT will make a determination to either purchase the property at fair market value or allow the alteration to occur. If the property is acquired at a later date, you will receive full compensation for the alteration. However, if a landowner makes any alteration to the property without notifying WisDOT, you will not receive any compensation for that improvement if/when WisDOT decides to purchase the property.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Contact Chris Ouellette, chris.ouellette@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: November 12, 2008