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U.S. Highway 12 in Wisconsin is a major east-west principal artery that integrates local traffic to the state and national highway systems.
For many years, the 18-mi. section between Sauk City and Middleton was able to accommodate traffic, including an increasing amount of commuters from Sauk and Dane counties, in a reasonably safe manner
More recently, the number of crashes on the segment has been high. Between 1985 and 1996, there were 2,010 crashes - nearly one crash every two days. Thirty people lost their lives during this period.
Rear-end and off-road crashes combined accounted for about 60 percent of the crashes. With a current Average Daily Traffic volume range of 14,000 to 25,000 vehicles per day, this corridor has more than double the average statewide volume for similar highways.
Improving Safety
The purpose of the U.S. 12 improvement was to address safety and capacity deficiencies.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation had three major project goals:
* Provide a four-lane divided highway that meets current standards to improve safety and increase traffic capacity.
* Meet the commitments outlined by the Final Environmental Impact Statement process, including minimizing impact on agricultural land and mitigation and restrictions to protect endangered species.
* Use a team approach throughout design and construction to maximize creative, cost-conscious solutions to project challenges and meet project schedules while using active and responsive communications with property owners, farmers, businesses, communities and the public.
The corridor improvement involved four design firms for the conversion of the rural, two-lane thoroughfare to a four-lane, divided expressway.
The design required highway and interchange engineering, right-of-way plats for acquisition of more than 500 acres from 200 parcels, traffic studies, public involvement, coordination with local, state and federal agencies, access controls, utility coordination, hazardous materials investigations and materials handling plans.
The jury said, "The thought process for doing this was well-done. Bridges and family farms were accommodated. There was a dramatic improvement in public safety."
Key Players
Owner:
Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Madison
Contractor:
Hoffman Construction, Black River Falls, Wis.
Contractor:
Edward Kraemer and Sons, Plain, Wis.
Contractor:
Lunda Construction, Two Rivers, Wis.
Contractor:
Mashuda Contractors Inc. Princeton, Wis.
Contractor:
Streu Construction, Two Rivers
Contractor:
Trierweiler Construction, Marshfield, Wis.
Design Consultant (Lead):
Strand Associates Inc., Madison
Design Consultant:
KL Engineering Inc., Madison
Design Consultant:
MSA Professional Services, Baraboo, Wis.
Design Consultant:
Westbrook Associates Engineers, Spring Green, Wis.
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