Wisconsin Highway 142

Infobox road
state=WI
type=WI
route=142
length_mi=17.69
length_ref= [cite web | last = Bessert | first = Chris | title =Wisconsin Highways: Highways 140-149 (Highway 142) | work =Wisconsin Highways | url =http://www.wisconsinhighways.org/listing/WiscHighways140-149.html#STH-142 | accessdate = 2007-03-20]
length_round=1
direction_a=West
direction_b=East
starting_terminus=
junction=
ending_terminus=
previous_type=US
previous_route=141
next_type=WI
next_route=143

State Trunk Highway 142 (STH 142, commonly known as Highway 142 or WIS 142) is a mostly rural highway connecting Burlington with Kenosha.

Prior to the commissioning of Interstate 43 in the early 1970s, the current route of WIS 142 was designated as State Trunk Highway 43 (WIS 43). The route number was changed in accordance to then-Wisconsin Department of Transportation policy, which prohibits duplicate numbers between state and US/Interstate highways within Wisconsin.

When the road was recently rebuilt, the state department of transportation incorporated a new feature they are testing called centerline rumble strips.

Bong Air Force Base and State Recreation Area

Richard Bong State Recreation Area is located southwest of the intersection of WIS 142 and WIS 75 near Kansasville. The state park is on the site of a former Air Force Base that was closed before completion in 1959.

According to Paul Freeman, [ [http://www.airfields-freeman.com/WI/Airfields_WI_SE.htm#bong Abandoned & Little Known Airfields website] ] the base was planned to house jet fighters to protect in case of a Soviet attack on Chicago and Milwaukee. The main runway had been graded and the subsurface prepared. However, construction was suddenly halted on October 2, 1959, a mere three days before concrete was to be poured. The base was considered excess property in 1960. In 1974, the state of Wisconsin purchased the property from the federal government, and converted it to the state park it is today.

Former Eastern Terminus

Prior to 1992, WIS 142 extended from I-94/US-41 along what is called Washington Road into Kenosha. WIS 142 ended at WIS 32 (Sheridan Road) on Kenosha's north side. In 1992, WisDOT turned the eastern section back to city and county control. The section is now known as County Highway S.

External links

* [http://www.state-ends.com/wisconsin/wi/142/ WIS 142 Terminus Photos] @ [http://www.state-ends.com/wisconsin/ Wisconsin Highway Ends] --Dan Garnell

References