US 53 Corridor Preservation Study

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.

US 53 corridor is 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.

Key facts

Study to examine existing conditions and identify future needs along the US 53 corridor.
WisDOT to work with communities to identify the locations of future interchanges, overpasses and local road modifications.
Study team to prepare a report that outlines recommendations, along with preliminary plans and an environmental assessment.
No construction 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.

Status/phase

Study - Long term planning with no construction activity.

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US 53 Corridor Preservation Study overview map.