US 51 corridor, Dane County central segment (Stoughton Road) - Need/purpose

US 51 corridor

Dane County central segment

Need/purpose

Short-term improvements

Alternatives analysis

Contacts

US 51 corridor, Dane County central segment (Stoughton Road) - Need/purpose

Needs assessment (NA)

The Stoughton Road (US 51) NA, completed in spring 2003, determined the existing roadway's condition and how future traffic volumes would impact traffic flow. It formed the basis for the current management efforts to implement short-term improvements and analyze long-range alternatives.

The purpose of the NA study is to:

Identify alternatives for improving safety and efficiency of the roadway for vehicular traffic.
Improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the corridor.
Examine the feasibility of providing enhanced local transit service in the corridor that would be compatible with the transit service selected in the Transport 2020 study.
Examine potential sites for park and ride facilities that would serve corridor travelers.

The NA was an extensive research effort based on public input, future land use analysis, projected traffic volumes, and analysis of existing and future traffic operations. Input received during the NA indicated that there was sufficient need to study improvement alternatives.

Present traffic volumes are high and planned development may contribute to increased traffic. This study will help guide the department in maintaining and developing a safe, efficient transportation system for the traveling public.

Safety

The Stoughton Road NA study documented existing congestion at some locations and worsening conditions in the years ahead. At most intersections, crash problems either exist today, or are expected to emerge as traffic volumes increase.

Based on crash data, there were a total of 1,362 crashes on Stoughton Road and the side road approaches between 2001 and 2004, with 573 resulting in injury. These results show that, on average, a crash occurred nearly every day on Stoughton Road, including almost three per week with injuries. There were also five fatalities over this four-year period.

As a result of the existing congestion on Stoughton Road, traffic is increasingly diverted to other roads. Adjacent neighborhoods are concerned about the amount of "cut-through" traffic. The volume increase is also causing more vehicles to be diverted to I-39/90/94.

The projected increase of traffic volumes under future conditions, would deteriorate the level of service (LOS) for motorists at several signalized Stoughton Road intersections.

View more information about LOS

Population

The congestion and safety problems identified in the study are related to growth that has occurred and is expected to occur on Madison's east side. Once a "beltline" on the fringes of Madison, Stoughton Road is now surrounded by commercial and residential areas, with more employment and residential growth planned for the area in the years ahead.

The Madison Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MAMPO) projects employment in the corridor will increase by 117 percent and population will increase by 92 percent between 2000 and 2030.

Employment and population growth map

More information about transportation issues in the Madison area can be found at the MAMPO Web site.

Bicycle and pedestrian facilities

The Stoughton Road NA found significant gaps in bike and pedestrian facilities in the corridor.

There are several locations where bicycle and pedestrian facilities may be included in the alternatives.

Bicycle and pedestrian facilities map (1.2 MB)

Overpasses for bicycles and pedestrians at Femrite Drive, Tompkins Drive, Helgeson Drive, Walsh Road/Parkwood Drive (over WIS 30), Larson Court, East Washington Avenue and Anderson Road (over I-39/90/94) will greatly enhance safety for crossings in the corridor.

Adjacent off-road paths and connection from Broadway to Pflaum Road and from Pierstorff Street to County CV will enhance mobility along the corridor. The alternatives will include on-road bicycle facilities and sidewalks at all side road locations.

Potential bicycle and pedestrian facilities

Transit

The future conditions of the study include implementation of the transit network of commuter rail and express bus service as proposed in the Transport 2020 Study for Dane County (Minimal Operable Segment (MOS) System)

Commuter rail and express bus alternative (2.4 MB)

Using the MOS estimates, daily bus ridership is 53,000 passengers on 39 local bus routes and four express bus services.

Existing and potential bus routes (1 MB)

The study team has met with Madison Metro, city of Madison Planning, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization to determine additional supplements to that system. It has been determined that adding more park and ride lots and expanding existing lots would enhance corridor operations. Further study will be completed as details of the alternatives are finalized.

Aesthetics

Stoughton Road is the north/south gateway to the city of Madison. Aesthetic treatments are in place at the Milwaukee Street, WIS 30 and the Beltline interchanges in the form of decorative concrete treatment on the overpass structures and retaining walls. Similar aesthetic treatments in the Stoughton Road corridor could enhance the corridor and give a theme to the roadway.

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Stoughton Road (US 51) and Pflaum Road intersection.