Public meetings scheduled for US 18/151 in Dane and Iowa counties

July 11, 2012

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will hold two public information meetings about the US 18/151 freeway conversion study for the section of US 18/151 between the US 18 exit to Dodgeville in Iowa County and the County MV exit west of Verona in Dane County. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 17 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Mount Horeb Community Center, 107 North Grove Street. The second meeting will be held on Thursday, July 26 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Dodgeville Middle School, 951 West Chapel Street. The same information will be presented at both meetings. A brief presentation about the study will be given each evening at 6 p.m.

WisDOT is carrying out the study to determine the roadway changes needed to convert US 18/151 from an expressway to a freeway. This will result in the removal of all direct access to the highway, phased over a period of many years. Existing public road intersections with US 18/151 will be converted to highway interchanges, overpasses, or cul-de-sacs. Intersecting driveways will be redirected to new and existing local roads that will connect to the interchanges.

The preferred alternative to be presented at the public meetings is similar to the recommended alternative presented in 2009. Modifications have been made in response to public input and coordination between WisDOT and local communities. Preliminary engineering has been completed on the preferred alternative, and impacts and costs have been estimated. The public is encouraged to attend the meetings, provide input, and ask questions concerning this project. WisDOT representatives will be available throughout both meetings to discuss the project on an individual basis.

Written comments regarding the project can be mailed to Project Manager Larry Barta, WisDOT Southwest Region, 2101 Wright Street, Madison, WI  53704. Citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing and who require an interpreter may request one by contacting Larry Barta at least three working days prior to the meeting.

More information about the study can be found on the “Plans, studies and projects” section of WisDOT’s website.

For more information, contact:
Project Manager Larry Barta, WisDOT SW Region
(608) 246-3884, larry.barta@dot.wi.gov