Interstate 43: Difference between revisions

Interstate 43
Route information
Maintained by WisDOT
Length	191.55 mi[1] (308.27 km)
Existed	1981[2]–present
NHS	Entire route
Major junctions
South end	I-39 / I-90 / WIS 81 in Beloit, WI
Major intersections	I-94 in Milwaukee, WI
North end	US 41 / US 141 near Green Bay, WI
Location
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
Highway system
Interstate Highway System Main Auxiliary Suffixed Business Future Wisconsin State Trunk Highway System Interstate US State Scenic Rustic
← WIS 42 → WIS 44

Interstate 43 (I-43) is a 191.55-mile (308.27 km) Interstate Highway located entirely within the U.S. state of Wisconsin, connnecting Interstate 39 (I-39) and Interstate 90 (I-90) in Beloit with Milwaukee and U.S. Route 41 (US 41) and U.S. Route 141 (US 141) in Green Bay. I-43 is the 5th longest intrastate Interstate Highway of the Interstate Highway system. Wisconsin Highway 32 shares concurrency (road) with I-43 in two sections and Interstate 94 (I-94), Interstate 894 (I-894), U.S. Route 10 (US 10), US 41, Wisconsin Highway 57 (WIS 57), and Wisconsin Highway 42 (WIS 42) overlap I-43 once each. There are no auxiliary or business routes connected to I-43.

I-43 was spawned from toll road proposals that included a Milwaukee to Superior corridor included Hurley, Wausau and Green Bay. Only the Milwaukee to Green Bay section was approved. The route was originally planned to follow an alignment about midway between US 41 and US 141 (that latter paralleled Lake Michigan at the time) along Highway 57. Controversy about this location and use of right-of-way led to the establishment of the current alignment, which follows what was originally US 141 from the Milwaukee to Sheboygan, and a new alignment from Sheboygan to Green Bay. This section was completed in 1981.

The Beloit-to-Milwaukee segment was developed after two separate proposals for Interstates one of them being between Milwaukee and Boloit, the other between Miwaukee and Janesville was completed in 1976 as WIS 15 and renumbered as I-43 in 1988. To connect the two segments, I-43 was signed concurrently with east west segment of I-894 and the north-south portion of I-94 in the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area from I-894 to the Marquette Interchange, which was completely reconstructed - with work being completed in 2008.

Wisconsin had anticipated the Interstates with studies of possible toll roads. When the original Interstate system was approved the state only had two routes approved: I-90 and I-94.^[2] The Wisconsin Transportation Commission submitted a request to add an interstate in 1953 connecting Milwaukee to Green Bay, a request the FHWA denied. The commission, after a study by Wisconsin Turnpike Commission - which was established in 1953 - submitted a request in 1963 for a route that connected Milwaukee and Superior by way of Green Bay, Wausau, Hurley and Ashland which could be completed in increments. However, only the Milwaukee-Green Bay segment was approved.^[3] The original plan for the northern part of I-43 was to locate it midway between US 141 and US 41, using most of the current alignment of WIS 57 north of STH 33 in Saukville. But opposition to the plan by farmers and landowners within the corridor arose. According to the opponents of the I-43 construction, what the commission revealed as their plan to construct I-43 along the WIS 57 corridor did not reveal that instead of using the existing right-of-way, the freeway was to be built 2.25 miles (3.62 km) west of WIS 57. This was the case despite the fact that WIS 57 had a wide right-of-way of 300 feet (91 m).^[4] Protests, including farmers bringing their cows to graze on the Wisconsin State Capitol grounds, prompted a compromise to utilize the freeway built for US 141 between Milwaukee and Sheboygan instead, building the remaining freeway for the interstate itself.^[3] This plan, particularly the new freeway, met resistance from the Brown, Sheboygan, and Manitowoc County governments. construction first began in 1963 on the freeway that was at the time designated US-141. The first segment to begin construction was a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) segment beginning at the New Port exit on Washington Road in Milwaukee County. An additional 10 miles (16 km) In 1965, Construction began on a 9.3-mile (15.0 km) bypass of Sheboygan. The last major segment, consisting of 94.4 miles (151.9 km) of roadway, was started in 1972 after the last of these governments, Manitowoc county, pledged their support.^[4] The portion in Milwaukee County extending from the New Port exit to the Marquette Interchange was completed in 1981 to open the route.^[2]

The southwestern portion has also had a history of requests for Interstate routings. Interstate routings for such a connection between Beloit and the Milwaukee Metropolitan were requested by the DOT but denied by FHWA in 1973. Another request for a link to Janesville was also denied. Despite the denials, local and state officials continued to seek funding to construct a freeway between these two metropolitan areas.^[3] a government collaboration called the "Highway 15 Committee" was formed present promote the route. Construction began on the southwestern segment's in the 1960s with the first segment, a 0.9-mile (1.4 km) connector linking US 45 with I-894 as part of the project to build the Hale Interchange connecting the pending route with I-984 The new connector received the US 45 designation as that highway was transferred onto the freeway heading north. The first lengthy segment was completed in 1969. It extended from the US 45 "connector" to CTH-F (now STH-164) in Big Bend. After this segment was opened, the WIS 15 designation was applied. The next segment, to East Troy, was opened in 1972 - the year the "Highway 15 Committee" had hoped the route would be completed in its entirety. It was extended to Elkhorn in 1973 in conjunction with the US 12 freeway construction, then to I-90 in 1976. I-43 signs were placed on the freeway by 1988 after designation in 1987, replacing WIS 15. I-43 was also mapped concurrently with I-94 and I-894 to link the two segments together.^[5] Even though Exit number tabs were labeled according to the new mileposts, the mileposts themselves were not renumbered to coincide with the current length until 1991.^[6]

The Marquette Interchange, which connects I-43 with I-94, US 41 and Interstate 794, was completely reconstructed over a four-year span, beginning in October, 2004 and being completed in September 2008. This project eliminated left-hand exits and widened connecting ramps between I-94 and I-43 to ease congestion problems.^[7]

I-43 begins in Rock County as the eastern leg of a cloverleaf interchange with I-39/I-90 just east of Beloit. The highway becomes WIS 81 west of the interchange. The Beloit to Milwaukee segment of I-43 passes mainly through farmland situated on rolling hills, going around urbanized areas except for in the greater Milwaukee area - where the route passes through residential suburban zoning with some embedded industrial establishments.^[9][10] The interstate bypasses Clinton to the north at WIS 140 and passes into Walworth County five miles (8 km) east of WIS 140. Daily traffic counts as of 2007 for Rock County range from 12400 to 19200 with the higher counts closest to Beloit. The interchange with I-39/I-90 accommodates 1000 to 5200 vehicles daily, with the most traffic on ramps connecting southbound I-39/I-90 to westbound WIS 81 and westbound I-43 to southbound I-39/I-90.^[11] I-43 passes north of Darien and crosses US 14 at that point, then junctions with WIS 50 south of Delavan. About 14000 to 19200 vehicles use this section daily as of 2006^[12]

In Elkhorn, I-43 junctions with WIS 67, US 12, and WIS 11. I-43 passes through East Troy about ten miles (16 km) northeast of Elkhorn and junctions with WIS 20 and Wisconsin Highway 120. I-43 then enters Waukesha County at Mukwonago.^[13] I-43 crosses WIS 83 at an interchange just southeast of the village. After about eight miles (13 km), the highway junctions with WIS 164 just north of Big Bend, and then enters the city of New Berlin. I-43 crosses interchanges with South Racine Avenue (CTH Y) and South Moorland Road (CTH O) in New Berlin. It then turns east to enter Milwaukee County.^[14] Traffic volumes range from 21000 (as of 2006) around Elkhorn to 35800 (as of 2006) in Waukesha County to 85000 (2007 figures) at Highway 100.^[12][15][16]

The Beloit to Milwaukee portion (at the Hale Interchange with I-894) was given the name "Rock Freeway," named because the freeway traverses Rock County. However, the moniker generally only applies to the portion of the route in Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties.^[17] The freeway is entirely four-lane from Beloit to New Berlin. A six-lane segment begins where US 45 merges on the interstate.^[9]

I-43 connects with US 45 south and WIS 100 at South 108th Street. US 45 joins I-43 for one mile (1.6 km), then turns northward onto I-894 west at the Hale Interchange. while I-43 follows I-894 east along the Airport Freeway into Greenfield, crossing interchanges with WIS 24, WIS 36 and WIS 241 along the way. I-43 and I-894 junction with I-94 and US 41, known in Milwaukee as the North-South Freeway, at the Mitchell Interchange. I-43 follows the North-South Freeway (with I-94 and US 41) north into downtown Milwaukee, where it meets I-794 at the Marquette Interchange. The Airport freeway carries 107,000 to 134,000 vehicles per day (as of 2007). The I-94/I-43 concurrency carried less at that time - 979000 (closer to downtown) to 105,000^[16][18] The highway passes through mixed urban residential/industrial areas of the greater Milwaukee area, carrying six lanes throughout with the exception of near the Marquette Interchange where eight lanes of traffic exist.^[9]

I-43 continues north from the Marquette, while I-94 and US 41 turn westward. After passing through downtown Milwaukee, just east of Marquette University, I-43 crosses WIS 145 at the McKinley Boulevard/Fond du Lac Avenue interchange. Exit 72C's northbown off and on ramps in downtown Milwaukee pass underneath the county courthouse via tunnels to Kilbourn Avenue.^[9] On the way north out of Milwaukee, I-43 passes through Glendale, junctioning with WIS 190 (Capitol Drive) and WIS 57 (Green Bay Ave). WIS 100 and WIS 32 connect at Brown Deer Road and WIS 32 follow I-43 north into Ozaukee County.^[19][20] Up to 146,000 vehicles used this portion daily in 2007. This count descreased further north - with a count of 78,900 vehicles per day near WIS 100's northern terminus and 69600 closer to the Ozaukee County border.^[21][21] As it passes through mixed residential and commercial zones north of downtown, the highway carries eight lanes of traffic downtown, six lanes of traffic north of North Ave to Bender Road, and four lanes of traffic north of Bender road all the way to the northern terminus.^[9]

I-43 is joined by WIS 57 three miles (5 km) north of the county line in Mequon at the junction of WIS 167. The urban residential areas thin out north of this point as a mix of farmland and forest begins to dominate.^[9] WIS 60 terminates in Grafton at the interstate seven miles (11 km) further north and WIS 32 turns off toward Port Washington one mile (1.6 km) north of WIS 60. WIS 33 crosses the route in Saukville. WIS 57 turns north off the freeway, which turns eastward to go around Port Washington to the north. WIS 32 rejoins the freeway on the north side and I-43 and WIS 32 follow the Lake Michigan shoreline northeast into Sheboygan County.^[22] WIS 32 leaves the freeway at Cedar Grove and I-43 passes Oostburg to the east and Sheboygan, Wisconsin to the west. I-43 Sheboygan interchanges are at WIS 28, WIS 23, and WIS 42 I-43 enters Manitowoc County after nine miles (14 km) from Sheboygan.^[23] Traffic counts in southern Ozaukee County peak at 66,900 vehicles per day (as of 2007), this value generally decreases further north.^[24] The counts in Sheboygan County bottom out at 21,100 vehicles per day (as of 2005) just south of the Manitowoc County line.^[25]

I-43 passes Cleveland on the county line. The highway continues to follow the lakeshore to Manitowoc, then bypass the city to the west. I-43 connects with US 151 and WIS 42. WIS 42 north follow I-43 north to the interchange with US 10. WIS 42 leaves to the east along with US 10 east, and US 10 west follow I-43 north to the interchange with WIS 310 where it turns off to the west. I-43 passes Francis Creek and Maribel (at WIS 147) and turns northwestward into Brown County, with a rest stop located just before the county line.^[26] I-43 in Manitowoc county has the least traveled portion of the highway with 17400 vehicles passing south of WIS 147 according to 2005 results. These values increase further south.^[27]

The interstate passes Denmark and meets the terminus of WIS 96 one mile (1.6 km) north of the county line. I-43 then continues another seven miles (11 km) to Bellevue where US 141 begins. This interchange provides access to Wisconsin Highway 29, a route I-43 crosses under later. At this point, the interstate enters urban residential areas as it approaches Green Bay.^[9] I-43 junctions with WIS 172 in Allouez then turns northeast to bypass Green Bay to the east, passing under the aforementioned WIS 29. After turning northwestward, I-43 crosses WIS 54 and WIS 57 and the Fox River, passing through a heavily industrialized area near the Port of Green Bay.^[9] I-43 ends at US 41 and US 141.^[28] I-43's lowest traffic volume in this county is at the southernmost entry with a 2006 value of 22100 vehicles per day near Denmark. Values around Green Bay range from 34600 to 42200 vehicles per day.^[29]

County	Location	#[30]	Destinations	Notes
Rock	Beloit	none	WIS 81 west – Beloit	Southern terminus - Milwaukee Rd; continues into Beloit
		1A	I-39 south / I-90 east – Chicago
		1B	I-39 north / I-90 west – Madison
		2	CTH-XModule:Jct warning: "road" parameter is deprecated
	Clinton	6	WIS 140 – Clinton, Avalon
Walworth	Darien	15	US 14 – Janesville, Darien
	Delavan	17	CTH-X – Delavan, Darien
		21	WIS 50 – Delavan, Lake Geneva
	Elkhorn	25	WIS 67 – Elkhorn, Williams Bay
		27A-B	US 12 – Madison, Lake Geneva
		29	WIS 11 – Elkhorn, Burlington
	East Troy	33	Bowers Rd
		36	WIS 120 – East Troy, Lake Geneva
		48	WIS 20 – East Troy, Waterford
Waukesha	Mukwonago	43	WIS 83 – Waterford, Mukwonago
	Big Bend	50	WIS 164 – Waukesha, Big Bend
	New Berlin	54	CTH-Y (Racine Ave) – Muskego
		57	Moorland Rd
		59	Layton Ave	Northbound traffic exits to left
Milwaukee	Greenfield	60	US 45 south / WIS 100 – 108th St	UA 45 North follow I-43 North
		61	I-894 west / US 45 north – Fond du Lac	Hale Interchange Northbound
		4 (I-894)	I-43 south / US 45 south – Beloit	US 45 South follow I-43 South Hale Interchange Southbound
		5A (I-894)	WIS 24 – Forest Home Ave	Southbound
		5B (I-894)	South 76th St	Southbound
		5A-B (I-894)	South 76th St, South 84th St	Northbound
		7 (I-894)	South 60th St
		8 (I-894)	WIS 36 – Loomis Rd
	Milwaukee	9A-B (I-894)	WIS 241 – South 27th St	One Exit Eastbound, Two Exits Westbound
		10B (I-894)	I-94 east / US 41 south – Chicago, Airport	Mitchell Interchange Northbound
		316 (I-94)	I-43 south / I-894 west – Beloit	Southbound
		314 A-B (I-94)	Holt Ave, Howard Ave	Two Exits Eastbound, One Exit Westbound
		312 A (I-94)	Lapham Blvd, Mitchell St	Eastbound
		312 B (I-94)	Becher St, Lincoln Ave	Eastbound
		312 A-B (I-94)	Becher St, Mitchell St, Lapham Blvd, Greenfield Ave	Westbound
		311 (I-94)	WIS 59 – National Ave, 6th St	Eastbound
			WIS 59 – National Ave	Westbound
		72A	I-794 – Lakefront, Port of Milw	Marquette Interchange
		72B	I-94 west / US 41 north – Madison
		72C	Civic Center, Kilbourn Ave	Northbound - no access directly from I-43 - access is from I-94 eastbound to I-43 northbound ramp
			Civic Center, Highland Ave	Southbound
		73A	4th St, Broadway
		73B	WIS 145 – Fond du Lac Ave, W McKinley Blvd
		73C	North Ave
		74	Locust St
		75	Keefe Ave, Atkinson Ave
		76A	WIS 190 east – Capitol Dr	Northbound
		76B	WIS 57 / WIS 190 west – Green Bay Ave, Capitol Dr	Northbound
		76A-B	WIS 57 / WIS 190 – Capitol Dr, Green Bay Ave	Southbound
	Glendale	77A	Hampton Ave east	Northbound exit only
		77B	Hampton Ave west	Northbound exit; Southbound entrance only (both directions)
		78	Silver Spring Dr
		80	Good Hope Rd
	Fox Point	82A	Brown Deer Rd east	Northbound
			WIS 32 south – Brown Deer Rd	Southbound WIS 32 North follow I-43 North
		82B	WIS 100 west – Brown Deer Rd
	Bayside	83	CTH-W – Port Washington Rd	Northbound exit only; southbound entrance at County Line Rd
Ozaukee	Mequon	85	WIS 57 south / WIS 167 – Mequon Rd	WIS 57 North follow I-43 North Thiensville use Exit 85
		89	CTH-C – Cedarburg
	Grafton	92	WIS 60 / CTH-Q – Grafton, Cedarburg
		93	WIS 32 north / CTH-V – Grafton, Port Washington
	Saukville	96	WIS 33 – Saukville, Port Washington
		97	WIS 57 north – Plymouth	Southbound entrance; Northbound exit
	Port Washington	100	WIS 32 south / CTH-H – Fredonia, Port Washington	WIS 32 North follow I-43 North
	Belgium	107	CTH-D – Belgium, Lake Church	Harrington Beach State Park
Sheboygan	Cedar Grove	113	WIS 32 north – Cedar Grove	WIS 32 South follow I-43 South
	Oostburg	116	CTH-A (Foster Rd) – Oostburg
	Weedens	120	CTH-V / CTH-OK – Waldo, Sheboygan	Kohler-Andrae State Park
	Sheboygan	123	WIS 28 – Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls
		126	WIS 23 – Sheboygan, Plymouth
	Erdman	128	WIS 42 – Sheboygan, Howards Grove
Manitowoc	Cleveland	137	CTH-XX – Kiel, Cleveland
	Duvenek	144	CTH-C – St. Nazianz, Newton
	Manitowoc	149	US 151 / WIS 42 south – Manitowoc, Chilton	WIS 42 North follow I-43 North
		152	US 10 east / WIS 42 north / CTH-JJ – Manitowoc	US 10 West follow I-43 North WIS 42 South follow I-43 South
	Branch	154	US 10 west / WIS 310 – Appleton, Two Rivers	US 10 North follow I-43 South Point Beach State Forest use Exit 154
	Francis Creek	157	CTH-V – Mishicot, Francis Creek
	Kellnersville	160	CTH-K – Kellnersville
	Maribel	164	WIS 147 / CTH-Z – Maribel, Mishicot	Northbound
			WIS 147 / CTH-Z – Maribel, Two Rivers	Southbound Mishicot use Exit 164
Brown	Denmark	171	WIS 96 / CTH-KB – Greenleaf, Denmark
	Bellevue	178	US 141 to WIS 29 / CTH-MM – Bellevue, Kewaunee
	Green Bay	180	WIS 172 to US 41 – A Straubel Airport
		181	CTH-JJModule:Jct warning: "road" parameter is deprecated
		183	CTH-VModule:Jct warning: "road" parameter is deprecated
		185	WIS 54 / WIS 57 – Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
		187	Webster Ave, East Shore Dr
		189	Hurlbut Dr, Port of Green Bay	Northbound
			Atkinson Dr, Velp Ave	Southbound
	Howard	192A	US 41 north / US 141 north – Marinette, Iron Mountain
		192B	US 41 south / US 141 south – Appleton	Northern Terminus

List of intrastate Interstate Highways

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