WIS 73 (Pierce Rd. - US 12/18), Need/purpose

Need/purpose

WIS 73 (Pierce Rd. - US 12/18) - Need/purpose

Project to increase overall function and safety on WIS 73.

Deteriorating pavement and numerous geometric deficiencies along WIS 73 have resulted in high amounts of crashes.
Crash data from 2005 to 2009 show four key areas that are flagged for improvements:
- WIS 106 to Craig Rd.;
- County A intersection;
- Church Rd. to County B; and
- Koshkonong Rd. intersection.
Two fatalities occurred at the County A intersection between 2010 and 2011 that are likely attributed to the poor visibility at that intersection.
There were also two Type A (incapacitating) severity crashes and eleven Type B (bodily injury) crashes along WIS 73 since 2010.

Existing horizontal geometry is deficient in five locations along this section of WIS 73 including: Pierce Rd., Craig Rd., East Church Rd. and south of the US 12/18 intersection.
Vertical geometry is also deficient at numerous locations along WIS 73. Improvements are necessary to meet current design standards.

Intersection angles at Craig Rd. East and West, and US 12/18, do not meet current standards.
Reconfiguration of all intersections along WIS 73 to improve overall mobility and efficiency for through traffic, especially in the event of a major incident on I-39/90 when traffic could be diverted onto WIS 73.

WIS 73 continues to serve as an alternate route for I-39/90 to facilitate incident management.
WisDOT identified WIS 73 as a potential reliever route for I-39/90 traffic in the event of an incident on the Interstate between Albion and Madison. If a major interstate incident were to occur, traffic could be diverted on WIS 73 to US 12/18.

WIS 73, I-94, I-39 road sign.

Related information

I-39/90 Project

'In This Together' program - Information for businesses located in work zones