TPC approves US‑51 (Stoughton Road North) study as a high‑cost major project
January 01, 2024 | Department of Transportation, Executive Departments, Executive, Wisconsin
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The Transportation Projects Commission approved the US‑51 (Stoughton Road North) corridor study as a high‑cost major project on Sept. 15, 2024, clearing the way for final design to begin (DOT said end of 2025) and for potential construction beginning in 2029 with anticipated completion in 2033.
Scott Shaneman, director for the Bureau of State Highway Programs, described the study area as a north–south corridor on Madison’s east side that ranges from roughly 13,000 vehicles per day in the rural north to as high as 50,000 in the southern, urban segment. Shaneman said the corridor has experienced multiple serious crashes during the study period, including two fatalities and 12 serious injuries cited in the study window, plus an additional fatality the prior Friday at the Wisconsin 30 intersection.
DOT presented a revised, lower‑impact preferred alternative compared with earlier concepts: rather than pursuing full grade separation or broad capacity expansion, the study focuses on intersection safety and operations — separated left‑turn lanes, access consolidation, longer turn lanes, signal‑timing optimization, targeted right‑of‑way acquisitions and pedestrian accommodations in the more urban middle segment (including a potential pedestrian bridge over East Washington Avenue). Shaneman said the estimated cost for the preferred approach is roughly $174,000,000 with relatively limited relocations.
Commission discussion raised prioritization concerns — one member said other parts of the state have serious needs and cited a desire for more clarity on how projects are chosen; that member announced they would vote no on the US‑51 item because of those concerns. The motion to approve the study as a high‑cost major carried after the vote (the transcript records ayes and at least one opposed vote but does not list a complete roll call tally).
If the study advance is approved, DOT staff indicated they would begin final design in late 2025 and pursue funding and grant opportunities to compress the schedule where feasible.
Scott Shaneman, director for the Bureau of State Highway Programs, described the study area as a north–south corridor on Madison’s east side that ranges from roughly 13,000 vehicles per day in the rural north to as high as 50,000 in the southern, urban segment. Shaneman said the corridor has experienced multiple serious crashes during the study period, including two fatalities and 12 serious injuries cited in the study window, plus an additional fatality the prior Friday at the Wisconsin 30 intersection.
DOT presented a revised, lower‑impact preferred alternative compared with earlier concepts: rather than pursuing full grade separation or broad capacity expansion, the study focuses on intersection safety and operations — separated left‑turn lanes, access consolidation, longer turn lanes, signal‑timing optimization, targeted right‑of‑way acquisitions and pedestrian accommodations in the more urban middle segment (including a potential pedestrian bridge over East Washington Avenue). Shaneman said the estimated cost for the preferred approach is roughly $174,000,000 with relatively limited relocations.
Commission discussion raised prioritization concerns — one member said other parts of the state have serious needs and cited a desire for more clarity on how projects are chosen; that member announced they would vote no on the US‑51 item because of those concerns. The motion to approve the study as a high‑cost major carried after the vote (the transcript records ayes and at least one opposed vote but does not list a complete roll call tally).
If the study advance is approved, DOT staff indicated they would begin final design in late 2025 and pursue funding and grant opportunities to compress the schedule where feasible.
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