H I G H W AY 2 3 C O M M O N S E N S E C O M M I T T E E

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT) planning process usually

identifies the need for a major highway improvement project based on a variety of
criteria. Current state law requires completion of a need assessment, an extensive
environmental review and a high level of public involvement. It prohibits the Legislature
from enumerating any major highway project unless the Transportation Projects
Commission (TPC) has recommended approval of the project.

In 1999, the Legislature approved (enumerated) Highway 23 for major improvements.

None of the preliminary need assessments, environmental studies and cost estimates
had even been started. The project has never been presented to the TPC for review,
much less approval. In addition, the enumeration did not specifically call for the
expansion of a highway 23 to a divided four-lane expressway. In spite of this, WisDOT
has presented alternatives for a major expansion of Highway 23 to a divided four-lane
expressway. The alternatives offered will cost over $140 million and will have major
impacts on the surrounding area.

The Highway 23 Common Sense Committee is a group of concerned citizens who think
that Highway 23 does need improvements but does not need an expansion to the
divided four-lane expressway that WisDOT is advocating. We are working for the
construction of the improved two-lane (Super 2) highway between Plymouth and Fond
du Lac in the existing roadway corridor that was recommended by 8 of the 9 participants
in a WisDOT sponsored Value Planning Study held in July 2003.

Consider the following reasons for supporting a Super 2 alternative in the existing
roadway corridor for Highway 23.

1. Safety – Highway 23’s existing accident rate is actually lower than average for a two
lane rural highway. A Super 2 design would further improve safety and access by
redesigning intersections with the addition of acceleration, deceleration and center
turn lanes.

2. Traffic Volume/Congestion – A Super 2 highway would relieve congestion and

improve driveability by adding passing lanes at regular intervals. WisDOT claims
traffic volume and congestion as a major reason for expanding Highway 23 to a
 divided four-lane expressway. However, WisDOT’s own highway design manual
allows for passing lanes for hourly traffic volumes of up to1, 400 vehicles. WisDOT
is projecting an hourly traffic volume of 1,250 vehicles on Highway 23 in 2030, 26
years from now and almost 20 years after the new road would be constructed.

3. Preserve farms, farmlands and homes - A Super 2 highway in the existing corridor
would help preserve the workability of farms and sacrifice as little farmland as
possible. It would also decrease the impact on existing homes and businesses
because of the smaller footprint required for a Super 2 highway. Over 600 acres of
farmland could be lost and several large family farms left unworkable after being split
by a four-lane divided expressway. This is also a loss of jobs and money that stays
in the local economy.

4. Save millions in tax dollars – Highways usually have an expected life of 20-25
years before they need a major rehabilitation and resurfacing. Since a divided four-
lane expressway won’t be needed before 2030, a Super 2 would meet traffic needs
until then, saving the construction, operation and maintenance costs of a divided
four-lane expressway for at least the next 20 years.

The State of Wisconsin is struggling with budget shortfalls that threaten the quality of life
that we have worked so hard to achieve. Our schools face shortages, health care
programs are being eliminated, existing road maintenance is being deferred, and many
local municipalities face continuing cuts in employment and services. The current
Highway 23 expansion proposal is an example of the denial of this economic reality as
WisDOT continues with its free spending and overbuilding, “business as usual”,
approach that contradicts what we see around us and read in the paper every day.