JANESVILLE, WI – Governor Tony Evers joined Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) officials and community leaders today in Janesville to commemorate the completion of the 45-mile Interstate 39/90 project in Dane and Rock counties. Improvements were completed on time and under budget.

“It’s exciting to see the incredible improvements made to this corridor,” Governor Evers said. “I-39/90 serves as a gateway to Wisconsin creating a vital link for tourism and the transport of goods and commerce to and from the state. I congratulate the entire team for this major accomplishment, and I’m pleased to celebrate its completion. I look forward to the economic growth spurred by this expanded Interstate and updated infrastructure.”

“It was clear that I-39/90 improvements would drive economic growth and vitality to Wisconsin,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “I want to thank the leadership from the communities that worked cooperatively with us throughout this project. Their input and support helped make this project a success.”

What community leaders are saying about the I-39/90 project completion:

 

  • “Beloit is the gateway to Wisconsin. It is exciting to have this massive project complete. Beloit has had extraordinary growth, especially over the past couple of years. This infrastructure project is going to provide the capacity we need to support even more growth in the future.” – Beloit City Manager Lori Curtis Luther

  • “This interstate project provides a safe and efficient way for visitors to enter the state. This project showcases the power of transportation in Wisconsin.” – Visit Beloit CEO Celestino Ruffini

  • “This is a just a long-term project and we’re seeing completion. And so, that’s a victory for Janesville, for Rock County and certainly the state. This interstate is the gateway to Wisconsin and it happens right here in Rock County.” – Janesville City Manager Mark Freitag

  • “You’ve got the assurance of safety, and you’ve got reliability in the road system; it certainly helps with business decisions being made. What a great project; we’re thrilled it’s done.” – Forward Janesville Vice President Dan Cunningham

  • “Everything throughout the project was unparalleled partnership and coordination between the DOT and all levels of the first responder community from South Beloit to Madison. It really has been a great success.” – Edgerton Fire Department Chief Randy Pickering

Project details

Originally constructed in the 1960s, this section of interstate was experiencing significant traffic delays due to high-traffic volumes, especially during peak travel times. The combination resulted in poor traffic flow and increased safety problems. The interchanges located along the corridor had outdated design and safety features.

Some advance construction activities occurred earlier than 2015, including improving alternate routes adjacent to the interstate and the reconstruction of the I-39/90 and WIS 11/Racine Street interchange (Exit 175) in Janesville.

In 2015, crews began reconstruction to expand the interstate from four to six lanes along most of the corridor and from four lanes to eight lanes through the Janesville area. The project also:

  • Reconfigured 11 interchanges, with three featuring the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) design and three with roundabouts
  • Built new flyover ramps creating a free-flow transition of traffic between I-39/90 and I-43 in Beloit
  • Replaced and raised the Rock River bridges in Edgerton
  • Replaced 104 bridges and box culverts
  • Expanded truck parking at the Janesville and Beloit rest areas
  • Added new park and ride lots in Edgerton and Janesville

A video highlights some of the I-39/90 improvements

“There was a lot of innovation incorporated into the design and construction of the I-39/90 project, including the state’s first DDI at WIS 11/Avalon Road in Janesville,” Federal Highway Administration Division Administrator Glenn Fulkerson explained. “We have seen DDIs incorporated throughout the nation. They are effective at increasing safety and mobility when there is a high volume of left turn movements onto a major highway.”

Some remaining work at the I-39/90 and I-43/WIS 81 interchange in Beloit will be finished in early December 2021. Restoration work, including bridge staining, polymer overlays and permanent pavement markings, will occur in spring 2022.

More information about the I-39/90 Expansion Project is available at i39-90.wi.gov or via the project Facebook page at Facebook.com/WisconsinI3990Project.

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