U.S. Route 12 in Wisconsin

Infobox road
state=WI
type=US
route=12
length_mi=156.56
length_ref=cite web | last = Bessert | first = Chris | title =Wisconsin Highways: Highways 10-19 (Highway 12) | work =Wisconsin Highways | url =http://www.wisconsinhighways.org/listings/WiscHwys10-19.html#US-012 | accessdate = 2007-06-11]
length_round=2
established=1926 (1917 as WIS 12)
maint=WisDOT
direction_a=West
direction_b=East
starting_terminus=jct|state=MN|US|12 at Minnesota state line
junction=jct|state=WI|US|53] in Altoona
jct|state=WI|I|90 in Lake Delton
jct|state=WI|US|14 in Middleton
jct|state=WI|US|18 in Madison
jct|state=WI|I|43 in Elkhorn
ending_terminus=jct|state=IL|US|12 at Illinois state line
previous_type=WI
previous_route=11
next_type=WI
next_route=13In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 12 (normally called U.S. Highway 12, Highway 12 or U.S. 12) runs east-west across the western to southeast porions of the state. It enters from Minnesota (Concurrently with Interstate 94) at Hudson, parallels the interstate to Wisconsin Dells, and provides local access to cities such as Menomonie, Eau Claire, Black River Falls, Tomah and Mauston. The route then provides an alternate route for traffic between northwestern Wisconsin and Madison and is the anchor route for the West Beltline Highway around Madison. Finally it serves southeastern Wisconsin, connecting Madison with Whitewater, Elkhorn and Lake Geneva. The West Beltline Highway and the segment between Elkhorn and Lake Geneva are freeway, the segment between Sauk City and Middleton is an expressway. The remainder of the road is two-lane surface road or urban multi-lane arterial.

Route description

Hudson to Lake Delton

U.S. 12 crosses the St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota) from Minnesota concurrent with I-94 into St. Croix County. WIS 35 joins both routes upon entry into Wisconsin and exits south three miles east. U.S. 12 leave I-94 one mile further east from the eastern WIS 35 exit, treks two miles north and begins paralleling the interstate. The highway crosses WIS 65 in Roberts and passes through Hammond over a fifteen-mile segment to Baldwin, where it crosses U.S. 63. U.S. 12 passes through Woodville four miles east of Baldwin and crosses WIS 128 in Wilson two miles west of the Dunn County line.cite map|url=http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/docs/counties/saintcroix.pdf | format=pdf | title=St. Croix Co | publisher=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | accessdate=2008-01-17] Roughly three miles into Dunn County, U.S. 12 passes through Knapp, Wisconsin, then turns southeastward, connecting with WIS 79 six miles further, then joining WIS 25 (North Broadway Street) south in Menomonie. U.S. 12 turns east onto WIS 29 (Main Street East) in downtown Menomonie and the two routes follow Stout Road east out of the city.cite map|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Menomonie,+WI,+United+States+of+America&ie=UTF8&ll=44.891026,-91.914883&spn=0.047673,0.112782&z=13&om=0 | title=Menomonie, WI, United States of America - Google Maps | publisher=Google | cartography=NAVTEQ | accessdate=2008-01-10] The highways meet an interchange with I-94, then split one half of a mile east in Elk Mound at the junction with WIS 40. U.S. 12 passes through Elk Mound and enters Eau Claire Countycite map|url=http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/docs/counties/dunn.pdf | format=pdf | title=Dunn Co | publisher=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | accessdate=2008-01-17]

U.S. 12 merges with WIS 312 east (North Crossing) for two miles before turning south onto Clairemont Avenue, bypassing the downtown Eau Claire to the south and west. WIS 37 junctions with U.S. 12 on the southwest side of the city. Access to WIS 93 is provided via U.S. 53. The interchange between U.S. 12 and U.S. 53 in Altoona is Wisconsin's only single-point urban interchange.cite map|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Eau+Claire,+WI,+United+States+of+America&ie=UTF8&ll=44.822517,-91.50135&spn=0.116401,0.225563&z=12&om=0 | title=Eau Claire, WI, United States of America - Google Maps | publisher=Google | cartography=NAVTEQ | accessdate=2008-01-10] U.S. 12 continues east out of the Eau Claire metropolitan area and passes through Fall Creek where it turns southeastward to join WIS 27 south in Augusta. The two highways briefly join U.S. 10 on the Jackson County line in Fairchildcite map|url=http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/docs/counties/eauclaire.pdf | format=pdf | title=Eau Claire Co | publisher=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | accessdate=2008-01-17] U.S. 12 and WIS 27 turn southward and pass through Humbird in Clark County. and into Jackson County.cite map|url=http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/docs/counties/clark.pdf | format=pdf | title=Clark Co | publisher=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | accessdate=2008-01-17]

U.S. 12 and WIS 27 cross WIS 95 in Merrillan and WIS 54 in Black River Falls. U.S. 12 and WIS 27 also split in Black River Falls. U.S. 12 follows I-94 to the southeast past Millston and into Monroe Countycite map|url=http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/docs/counties/monroe.pdf | format=pdf | title=Monroe Co | publisher=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | accessdate=2008-01-17] The highway crosses I-94 (no access) south of Kirby and junctions with WIS 21 on the north side of Tomah at an interchange with the interstate. U.S. 12 passes through Tomah and joins with WIS 16 on the south side at the junction with WIS 133 near Mill Bluff State Park. The highways continue paralleling I-90 and I-94 southeast and pass through Oakdale and into Juneau Countycite map|url=http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/docs/counties/monroe.pdf | format=pdf | title=Monroe Co | publisher=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | accessdate=2008-01-17]

U.S. 12 and WIS 16 pass through Camp Douglas and cross WIS 80 in New Lisbon. The highways then junction with WIS 58 and WIS 82 in Mauston as they continue southeast. The routes slowly trek eastward and pass through Lyndon Station where Rocky Arbor State Park is located. The highways turn southeast again and crossing the Interstates and into Sauk County and Wisconsin Dells.cite map|url=http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/docs/counties/juneau.pdf | format=pdf | title=juneau Co | publisher=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | accessdate=2008-01-16] WIS 16 turns east onto WIS 13 north as WIS 23 west turns south onto U.S. 12. These highways follow the Wisconsin Dells Parkway south into the heart of the Wisconsin Dells tourism districtcite map|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Lake+Delton,+WI,+United+States+of+America&ie=UTF8&ll=43.592825,-89.794006&spn=0.041774,0.080338&z=14&om=1 | title=Lake Delton, WI, United States of America - Google Maps | publisher=Google | cartography=NAVTEQ | accessdate=2008-01-09] - passing attractions such as Noah's Ark Waterpark,cite web | title=Noah's Ark Waterpark Wisconsin Dells | url=http://www.noahsarkwaterpark.com | accessdate=2008-01-09] the Wisconsin Ducks boat tourscite web | title=Original Wisconsin Ducks, Wisconsin Dells | url=http://www.wisconsinducktours.com/contact.html | accessdate=2008-01-09] , Kalahari Resort, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Wilderness Territory, and Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Showcite web | title=Tommy Bartlett Show | url=http://www.tommybartlett.com/contact.html | accessdate=2008-01-09] . WIS 23 turns west onto Monroe Ave as U.S. 12 turns southeast and crosses the Interstates.cite map|url=http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/docs/counties/sauk.pdf | format=pdf | title=Sauk Co | publisher=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | accessdate=2008-01-17]

Lake Delton to Cambridge

WIS 33 joins U.S. 12 three miles north of Baraboo, the routes split in West Baraboo at WIS 136. U.S. 12 joins with WIS 159, a short highway that provides access to Devil's Lake State Park. The highway briefly becomes an expressway two miles south of WIS 159 for seven miles as it approaches Sauk City. WIS 60 briefly joins U.S. 12 in Sauk City and WIS 78 crosses the Wisconsin River concurrently with U.S. 12 into Dane County U.S. 12 becomes an expressway again at the county line and continues southeast, crossing WIS 19 at Springfield Corners. Just northwest of Middleton the route becomes a freeway as it enters the Madison area along the West Beltline Highway.cite map|url=http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/docs/counties/dane.pdf | format=pdf | title=Dane Co | publisher=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | accessdate=2008-01-17]

U.S. 12 merges with U.S. 14 at University Avenue. The freeway continues south and turns eastward at the interchange with CTH M and CTH S (Mineral Point Road). U.S. 18 and U.S. 151 join the beltline off Verona Road in southwestern Madison. The four routes travel concurrently for two miles, passing through interchanges with Todd Drive and Fish Hatchery Road before U.S. 14 leaves south towards Janesville and U.S. 151 north into downtown Madison via Park Street. The four-way concurrency was until 2007 crossed by a railroad track at the surface. The crossing was isolated using Jersey barriers until that time.cite web | title =One month and counting: Beltline project begins April 30 | author =Wisconsin Department of Transportation | url =http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/opencms/export/nr/modules/news/news_0102.html_786229440.html | accessdate = 2007-06-11] The freeway also had several ramps that contained driveways that accessed businesses.cite web | last = Jensen | first = David | title =Unusual Sights in and around Madison | work =Wisconsin Highways | url =http://www.dajensen-family.com/roads/madisonroads.html | accessdate = 2006-12-25] U.S. 12 and U.S. 18 continue east into Monona and cross the Upper Mud Lake channel. The highways meet U.S. 51 at Stoughton Road, then interchange with I-39 and I-90 on the southeast side of Madison.cite map|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Madison,+WI,+United+States+of+America&ie=UTF8&ll=43.07292,-89.38666&spn=0.162764,0.32135&z=12&om=0 | title=Madison, WI, United States of America - Google Maps | publisher=Google | cartography=NAVTEQ | accessdate=2008-01-17] U.S. 12 and U.S. 18 continue as an expressway east of the interstates, junctioning with WIS 73 in Deerfield and splitting with U.S. 12 turning southeast into Jefferson County in Cambridge.

Cambridge to Genoa City

After leaving Cambridge, U.S. 12 passes through Oakland and crosses WIS 26, WIS 89, and WIS 106 in Fort Atkinson. WIS 89 joins U.S. 12 as the route turns southward to approach Whitewater, bypassing the city to the south into Walworth County. The route does briefly enter Rock County before crossing into Walworth Countycite map|url=http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/docs/counties/jefferson.pdf | format=pdf | title=Jefferson Co | publisher=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | accessdate=2008-01-17] WIS 89 turns off U.S. 12 at its junction with WIS 59. WIS 59 East follows U.S. 12 briefly before turning north into the city. U.S. 12 passes through La Grange and turns south at the junction with WIS 20 to follow WIS 67 south. U.S. 12 turns southeast off WIS 67 onto a freeway northeast of Elkhorn. The highway crosses over WIS 11 with no access, then interchanges with I-43. Access for Lake Geneva is provided at WIS 120 and WIS 50 as U.S. 12 passes the city to the east. The highway turns south into Genoa City where the freeway ends and U.S. 12 follows the crossroad into Illinois.

History

The entire route was originally signed as WIS 12 in 1917 prior to the creation of the U.S. highway system in 1926. Aside from a few changes resulting from the construction of freeways and U.S. 12 being aligned on them, a few differences exist between the original route and today's alignment. WIS 12 followed CTH E, a more southerly alignment, between Menomonie and Eau Claire. From Black River Falls, WIS 12 continued south to Shamrock and turned east to follow CTH O to Millston. WIS 12 ran southerly from Tomah along WIS 131 to CTH A and turned east onto the county road to pass through Hustler and |accessdate=2008-01-10]

The state originally planned to upgrade all of U.S. 12 from Madison to Genoa City to freeway in anticipation of Illinois facilitating a toll road south of the state line. However, after Wisconsin started upgrading between Elkhorn and Genoa City, it was realized that no plans were ever set forth by Illinois, apparently due to community opposition. The route between Cambridge and Whitewater was upgraded to straighter and flatter for safety. A bypass of Whitewater was added in 2005. Upgrades to U.S. 12 between Middleton and Sauk City were completed in 2005, but local opposition prevented most of the remaining route north of that point to Lake Delton from being constructed.

Major intersections

Hudson to Middleton

Jctint
state=WI
county=St. Croix
cspan=11
location=Hudson
lspan=5
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|35|dir1=North
notes=WIS 35 South follow I-94 East / US 12 East
I-94 Exit 1cite web | author=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | title =Exit Numbers on I-94 | | url =http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/road/exits-i94.htm | accessdate = 2008-01-17] Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|A|CTH|F|name1=Carmichael Road
notes=I-94 Exit 2cite web | author=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | title =Exit Numbers on I-94 | | url =http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/road/exits-i94.htm | accessdate = 2008-01-17] Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|35|dir1=South
notes=WIS 35 North follow I-94 West / US 12 West
I-94 Exit 3cite web | author=Wisconsin Department of Transportation | title =Exit Numbers on I-94 | | url =http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/road/exits-i94.htm | accessdate = 2008-01-17] Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|I|94|dir1=East
notes=US 12 West follow I-94 West / US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|U
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Roberts
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|WI|65
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Hammond
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|T
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Baldwin
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|US|63
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Woodville
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|D
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Wilson
lspan=2
type=
road=jct|state=WI|WIS|128
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|W
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=Dunn
cspan=8
location=Knapp
lspan=2
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|O
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|K
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|WI|79
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Menomonie
lspan=3
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|25|dir1=North
notes=WIS 25 South follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|25|WI|29|dir1=North|dir2=West
notes=WIS 25 North follow US 12 West
WIS 29 East follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|B
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Elk Mound
lspan=2
type=
road=jct|state=WI|I|94
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|29|WI|40|dir1=East
notes=WIS 29 West follow US 12 WestJctint
state=WI
county=Eau Claire
cspan=8
location=Eau Claire
lspan=4
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|312|name1=North Crossing|dir1=West
notes=WIS 312 East follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|312|CTH|T|name1=North Crossing|dir1=East
notes=WIS 312 West follow US 12 WestJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|WI|37
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|US-Bus|53|nolink1=yes|name1=Hastings Way
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Altoona
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|US|53
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Fall Creek
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|K
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Augusta
lspan=1
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|27|dir1=North
notes=WIS 27 South follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Fairchild
lspan=3
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|H
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=Jackson
cspan=1
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|US|10|dir1=West
notes=US 12 East / WIS 27 South Follow US 10 EastJctint
state=WI
county=Clark
cspan=2
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|US|10|dir1=East
notes=US 12 West / WIS 27 North Follow US 10 WestJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Humbird
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|B
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=Jackson
cspan=5
location=Merrillan
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|WI|95
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Black River Falls
lspan=3
type=
road=jct|state=WI|I|94
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|WIS|54
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|27|dir1=South
notes=WIS 27 North follow US 12 WestJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Millston
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|O
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=Monroe
cspan=4
location=Tomah
lspan=3
type=
road=jct|state=WI|I|94|WI|21
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|16|WI|131|dir1=West
notes=WIS 16 East follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|I|90
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Oakdale
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|PP
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=Juneau
cspan=6
location=Camp Douglas
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|H
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=New Lisbon
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|WI|80
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Mauston
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|WI|82
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|O
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Lyndon Station
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|HH
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Indian Heights
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|J
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=Sauk
cspan=10
location=Wisconsin Dells
lspan=1
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|13|WI|16|WI|23|dir2=East|dir3=East
notes=WIS 16 West follow US 12 West
WIS 23 West Follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Lake Delton
lspan=2
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|23
notes=WIS 23 East Follow US 12 WestJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|I|90|I|94
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=West Baraboo
lspan=3
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|33|dir1=West
notes=WIS 33 East follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|33|WI|136|dir1=East
notes=WIS 33 West follow US 12 WestJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|WI|159
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Bluff View
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|C
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Prairie du Sac
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|Z
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Sauk City
lspan=3
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|60|dir1=West
notes=WIS 60 East follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|60|WI|78|dir1=East|dir2=South
notes=WIS 60 West follow US 12 West
WIS 78 South follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=Dane
cspan=4
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|78|dir1=South
notes=WIS 78 North follow US 12 WestJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Roxbury
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|Y
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Springfield Corners
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|WI|19
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Ashton
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|K
notes=

Middleton to Cambridge

Cambridge to Elkhorn

Jctint
state=WI
county=Dane
cspan=1
location=Cambridge
lspan=1
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|US|18|WI|134|dir1=East
notes=US 18 West follow US 12 WestJctint
state=WI
county=Jefferson
cspan=4
location=Oakland
lspan=2
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|A
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|J
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Fort Atkinson
lspan=2
type=
road=jct|state=WI|WI|26
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|89|WI|106|dir1=North
notes=WIS 89 South follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=Walworth
cspan=5
location=Whitewater
lspan=2
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|59|WI|89|dir1=West|dir2=South
notes=WIS 89 North follow US 12 West
WIS 59 East follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|59|dir1=East
notes=WIS 59 West follow US 12 WestJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=La Grange
lspan=1
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|20|WI|67|dir2=North
notes=WIS 67 South follow US 12 EastJctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=
lspan=1
type=
road=jct|state=WI|CTH|A
notes=Jctint
state=WI
county=
cspan=
location=Elkhorn
lspan=1
type=mplex
road=jct|state=WI|WI|67|dir1=South
notes=WIS 67 South follow US 12 West

Elkhorn to Genoa City

References