The relignment of Highway 35/Highway 243/County Road M has been the subject of study and public forms for several years. Before placing the project into a future planning cycle, Wisconsin DOT has asked the Village of Osceola to express a preference for one of the proposed alternatives. The Village Board will be scheduling an additional public information session in the near future to solicit public input.
PROJECT HISTORY
In 1995 MNDOT released a scoping study for the Highway 8 Corridor. The Highway 8 Study addressed potential alternatives to reducing congestion and improving travel time on Hwy 8 within the confines of limited expansion space. The Highway 8 Study provided a number of alternatives to relieve the congestion including improvements that would enable more traffic to be directed towards the Hwy 243 bridge.
The MNDOT study also looked at how that traffic could be handled on the Wisconsin side and provided initial concepts for the realigning the STH 35 / STH 243, and CTH M intersection along with improvements to direct traffic around downtown Osceola.
Using federal funding obtained by the Village, Wisconsin DOT initiated a Truck Bypass Study and analysis of the capacity of the 35 / 243 / M interesection. The traffic counts conducted during the study indicated a Level of Service (D) for eastbound traffic at 243/M/35. (Level of Service D is characterized by speeds considerably affected by changes in operating conditions, high density traffic restricting maneuverability and volume near capacity.) The intersection currently provides a Level of Service (E) for westbound traffic at 243/M/35. (Level of Service E is characterized by low speeds, considerable delays, and volume at or slightly over capacity). By 2025, WISDOT estimates that the intersection will deteriorate to Level of Service (F) for eastbound and westbound traffic (characterized by very low speeds, volumes exceeding capacity, and long delays with stop-and-go traffic). WISDOT then expanded the scope of the intitial study to to look at alternatives to the 243/M/35 connections.
STH 35, STH243 & CTH M INTERSECTION ALIGNMENT OPTIONS
WISDOT and their engineers identified numerous alternatives for aligning the intersection. Based on WISDOT’s internal review and input at meetings with local officials and the public, the number of alternatives was reduced to five (5). WISDOT’s preferred alternative is labeled as Alternative D.
The following is a link the WISDOT’s web site on the intersection project.
www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/nwregion/wis35polkctystudies/osceolaint/index.htm
Below are PDF attachments; click on the attachment you wish to view. Or, scroll down for a description of each alternative alignment and a small map (you may click on the map for an enlarged version).
Analysis of intersection alternatives
Alternative A
Alternative A provides a direct route across STH 35 from STH 243 to CTH M. This alternative would require a rail crossing at grade. It would also require the acquisition of 7 residential and 2 commercial properties. Additionally, the access to CTH M from the Rowbough Trailer Court would be impacted since this option requires extensive regrading.
Alternative B
Alternative B includes the construction of a large roundabout under a new 200′ railroad bridge. In order to correct the road grade on STH 35 to the south, Ridge Road and the northern access to Zindaus St. would be closed. It also requires the acquisition of 2 commercial properties.
Alternative C
Alternative C includes the construction of a small roundabout south of the existing bridge and would reroute STH 243 traffic to new railroad bridge to the west of STH 35. The option provides for an over-height bypass for truck traffic on STH 35. This option closes Ridge Road and Zindaus St. and requires the acquisition of 1 commercial property.
Alternative D
Alternative D includes the construction of a small roundabout south of the existing bridge and would reroute STH 243 traffic to new railroad bridge to the west of STH 35. The option provides for an over-height bypass for truck traffic on STH 35. This option closes Ridge Road and Zindaus St. and requires the acquisition of 1 commercial property. This alternative differs from Alternative C since it would lower STH 35 under the existing bridge to provide for 16’10” of clearance
Alternative E
Alternative E is similar to Alternative B in that it provides for a roudabout under the railroad. Alternative E differs from B in that it would provide for a large roundabout and a new railroad bridge. This option does not impact Ridge Road or Zindaus Street.