Wisconsin Business Connections

Note: Not every business route in Wisconsin is signed or maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) as part of the regular state trunk highway network. Indeed, at present only four such routes exist, while all remaining business connections across the state are locally-designated and locally-signed in nature. For more information, please see the Business Route Specifications page.

Also, if you do not find the Business Connection you are looking for here, try the Master List 1917-Present page which lists all current and former highway designations in the state, including as many former Business Connections as have been found to date.

WisDOT-designated Business Connections:

Southern Terminus:

Jct US-10, STH-13 & CTH-BB south of Marshfield

Northern Terminus:

Jct STH-13 & STH-97 at cnr Central Ave & Veterans Pkwy in downtown Marshfield

Length:

2.91 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-13 (Marshfield)

Notes:

One of the more major highway changes to come to Marshfield in recent history was the completion of the STH-13/Veterans Parkway project through the heart of the city, the so-called "through-pass," so named because it actually cuts through the center of the city instead of bypassing it. The entire Veterans Parkway officially opened to traffic on Thursday, October 9, 2003. On that same day, the portion of the former STH-13 along Central Ave from Veterans Parkway southerly to jct US-10/STH-13 south of the city limits was officially redesignated by WisDOT as BUS STH-13 (and not as an extension of STH-97 as had been surmised by some). While the BUS STH-13 designation is currently and official WisDOT designation—a relative rarity for the department—current plans are for BUS STH-13/Central Ave to undergo a $7.1-million reconstruction during the spring, summer and fall of 2009, according to the Marshfield News-Herald, which has been pushed back from the 2007 timeframe originally proposed by WisDOT. Once the reconstruction is complete, Central Ave will be officially turned over to the City of Marshfield as a local street, although the city can continue to sign it as BUS STH-13 in the future, if they desire.

History:

As noted above, BUS STH-13 debuted with the completion of the new Veterans Parkway "through-pass" on October 9, 2003.

Weblinks:

• South Central Avenue Re-Design - a January 17, 2005 article from the Mayor of Marshfield on the City's website about the ongoing process of re-making BUS STH-13 (S Central Ave) into a local city atertial as WisDOT begins the process of turning it back to local control.

• South Central Avenue—Alternative Analysis Report - an 87-page report issued by WisDOT in July 2002.

Southern Terminus:

US-41 at Exit 163B on the Ashwaubenon/De Pere municipal boundary, southwest of Green Bay

Northern Terminus:

STH-32/8th St in northern De Pere

Length:

0.67 mile

Map:

Route Map of BUS US-41 (Ashwaubenon-De Pere)

Notes:

The present-day BUS US-41 at Ashwaubenon-De Pere is the extremely short remainder of a business route which traversed much of Green Bay for many years. See the "History" section below for full details.

At less than three-quarters of a mile in length, BUS US-41 at Ashwaubenon-De Pere is the fifth shortest state trunkline in Wisconsin.

BUS US-41 at Ashwaubenon-De Pere is the fifth shortest state trunk highway route.

History:

In 1969, the only segment of the US-41 freeway in Brown Co complete and open to traffic was the portion from present-day Exit 167 at CTH-VK/Lombardi Ave northerly to Exit 170 at US-141/Velp Ave, which had opened to traffic a year earlier. The former route of US-41 along Military Ave from Lombardi northerly to Velp was designated as STH-119 temporarily, but that designation was supplanted by BUS US-41 in 1969. In 1974 when the US-41 freeway was extended southerly from Lombardi Ave to Main St at De Pere, the former route of US-41 along Lombardi from Military Ave easterly to STH-32/Ashland Ave and southerly along Ashland to a new connection with the US-41 freeway is designated as an extension of the BUS US-41 route.

Prior to 1998, BUS US-41 existed thusly: From US-41 at Exit 163B, BUS US-41 existed as an officially-designated state trunk highway to its merge with STH-32 along Ashland Ave, then continued northerly via Ashland co-signed with STH-32 to Lombardi Ave, where both STH-32 and BUS US-41 turned westerly to pass Lambeau Field. At the intersection of Lombardi Ave & Military St, STH-32 continued straight toward US-41, while the BUS US-41 designation changed from an official state trunkline designation to a locally-maintained and signed routing along Military St. At the northern end of this stretch, where Military St meets Velp Ave, the BUS US-41 designation once again became an official state trunk highway designation and turned westerly to follow US-141/Velp Ave to its end at US-41. While WisDOT removed this routing as an official state trunk highway designation, it continued to be signed along its pre-1998 routing for several years. One of the reasons why it is assumed WisDOT made such a move was that Lombardi Ave, formerly STH-32 and along which BUS US-41 travels, was transferred to local control, and is now designated CTH-VK. The BUS US-41 routing at De Pere/Green Bay was removed from the Official State Highway Map in 1993 and, according to site contributor Peter Johnson, all BUS US-41 signs were removed from the route in 2004. Interestingly, the set of freeway ramps running between US-41 at Exit 163B in Ashwaubenon to STH-32/Ashland Ave in De Pere is still considered to be BUS US-41 by WisDOT, meaning the route still exists, albeit as a 0.67 mile highway! —Thanks Peter!

Freeway:

Entire route.

Southern Terminus:

US-51/I-39 at Exit 151 southeast of Plover

Northern Terminus:

US-51/I-39 at Exit 161 north of downtown Stevens Point

Length:

9.72 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS US-51 (Stevens Point)

Notes:

BUS US-51 at Stevens Point is one of only four official WisDOT-designated Business Connections in the state. All other business routings are locally-designated and are not official state trunk highways.

As part of the upcoming US-10 upgrade project from Stevens Point westerly to Marshfield, WisDOT is preparing to transfer control of all BUS US-51 in Stevens Point, Plover and Whiting to local control. While those communities could still choose to sign the route as BUS US-51, it will no longer be a state trunkline. It is currently unclear if Stevens Point, Plover and Whiting will band together to continue to sign this route as BUS US-51.

History:

Five years after Wausau received its BUS US-51 designation, the former route of US-51 through downtown Stevens Point, Whiting and Plover was officially designated BUS US-51 when the US-51 freeway bypass was completed in 1970.

In 2005, the so-called "L" route of sbd BUS US-51 along S Division St from Church St to Monroe St and easterly along Church from Division to Church in Stevens Point was transferred to local control (its connecting highway status removed). Both nbd and sbd BUS US-51 traffic now uses Church St between Division and Monroe.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

NHS:

Entire route.

Weblinks:

• Business 51 Corridor Study Executive Summary - from WisDOT, concerning the future reconstruction of BUS US-51 through Whiting and Plover prior to its transfer to local control.

• US 10 expansion project - state highway system changes - from WisDOT, noting the impending transfer of BUS US-51 to local control.

Southern Terminus:

US-51/I-39 at Exit 185 south of Rothschild

Northern Terminus:

US-51 at Exit 194 on the north side of Wausau

Length:

11.45 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS US-51 (Wausau)

Notes:

BUS US-51 at Wausau is one of only four official WisDOT-designated Business Connections in the state. All other business routings are locally-designated and are not official state trunk highways.

History:

Wausau's BUS US-51 dates to 1963 when the US-51 bypass of the city was completed between the present BUS US-51 interchanges (Exit 185 and 194). The former route through Rothschild, Schofield and Wausau was officially designated by WisDOT as BUS US-51. Since it was first commissioned, the only major change to the route of BUS US-51 was when it was rerouted onto the one-way streets around downtown Wausau.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

NHS:

From STH-29 in Rothschild to the western jct of BUS US-51 & STH-52 (cnr Stewart Ave & Third Ave) in Wausau.

Weblinks:

• None.

Locally-designated Business Connections:

Western Terminus:

US-10 at the easternmost jct with CTH-B two miles west of downtown Neillsville

Eastern Terminus:

Eastern jct of US-10 & STH-73 at cnr of Hewett St & Division St in Neillsville

Length:

2.8 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS US-10 (Neillsville)

Notes:

BUS US-10 at Neillsville is a locally-designated business connection which begins at US-10 west of the city and proceeds easterly via CTH-B into the city where it continues easterly along W 5th St to STH-73/Hewett St, then turns southerly with STH-73 along Hewett to a terminus at US-10/Division st on the south side of the city.

History:

In 1994, the US-10 "bypass" of the western portion of Neillsville was completed and the former route from STH-73 downtown westerly to the end of the new "bypass" was turned over to county control as CTH-B and locally-designated as BUS US-10 as was the portion of former US-10 along STH-73.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Western Terminus:

STH-11 at the CTH-N interchange on the west limits of Monroe

Eastern Terminus:

Eastern jct STH-11 & STH-69 at the 18th Ave interchange north of downtown Monroe

Length:

2.6 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-11 (Monroe)

Notes:

BUS STH-11 at Monroe is a locally-designated route which begins at the STH-11 freeway bypass of the city on the west side and proceeds southerly from the CTH-N interchange for one block to 8th St. BUS STH-11 turns easterly via 8th St for 8/10th mile into downtown Monroe, then uses the one-way pair of 17th Ave (nbd) and 16th Ave (sbd) northerly to 6th St, easterly on 6th St to 18th Ave, then northerly via 18th Ave back to the STH-11 freeway pass on the north side of the city.

History:

Monroe's BUS STH-11 has likely existed since the STH-11 freeway bypass of the city was constructed and opened to traffic in late-1978. It utilizes the former route of STH-11 into the downtown area from the west, then turns north to run along the former route of STH-69 to its northern terminus.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Southern Terminus:

US-12 & South Blvd, southwest of downtown Baraboo

Northern Terminus:

Jct US-12, STH-33 & STH-136 in West Baraboo

Length:

3.25 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS US-12 (Baraboo)

Notes:

Baraboo's BUS US-12 routing is another locally-designated routing, although it does run concurrently with STH-33 along Linn St (in West Baraboo) and 8th St (in Baraboo), and with STH-113/STH-123 along Broadway Ave through the center of Baraboo. From the cnr of Broadway, Parkway & South Blvd, BUS US-12 runs east-west along South Blvd, a local street.

History:

To be developed.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Southern Terminus:

Jct US-12 & STH-78 at cnr of Water St & Phillips Blvd, downtown Sauk City

Northern Terminus:

Jct US-12 & CTH-Z/Prairie Rd northwest of Prairie du Sac

Length:

4.5 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS US-12 (Sauk City/Prairie du Sac)

Notes:

The locally-designated BUS US-12 route through the downtowns of neighboring Sauk City and Prairie du Sac runs along the original route of US-12 through those cities. It duals with STH-78 for much of the distance, from US-12/Phillips Blvd in Sauk City northerly to where it turns westerly via CTH-Z north of Prairie du Sac back to US-12.

History:

The existing western US-12 bypass of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac was completed and opened to traffic in c.1942, however it is not year clear when the locally-designated BUS US-12 routing was first signed.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Western Terminus:

Cnr US-12 & Tri-County Rd west of Whitewater

Eastern Terminus:

Jct US-12, STH-59 (North) & CTH-P southeast of Whitewater

Length:

5.0 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS US-12 (Whitewater)

Notes:

BUS US-12 at Whitewater is a locally-designated route following the former route of US-12 through the heart of the city and past the University of Whitewater campus. It duals with STH-59 from Newcomb St on the east side of town southeasterly to its eastern terminus.

History:

The 6.3-mile long US-12 bypass of Whitewater opened to traffic on August 4, 2005 after a 10:00 am ribbon-cutting ceremony at the CTH-S/Walworth Ave intersection. With the opening of the bypass, the route of STH-89 was transferred to the new highway, running concurrently with US-12 from the south side of the city northwesterly toward Fort Atkinson, while STH-59 was added to the bypass heading easterly from the south side of Whitewater to the east end of the new highway, then doubling-back on the former route of US-12 into the city to its existing route along Newcomb St. Nearly all of the former route of US-12 through the city (excepting short segments at either end) became signed as BUS US-12. [See BUS US-12 (Whitewater) Route Map.]

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Western Terminus:

US-14 at jct CTH-E northwest of Janesville

Eastern Terminus:

Jct US-14 & STH-11 on the east edge of Janesville

Length:

8.4 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS US-14 (Janesville)

Notes:

BUS US-14 at Janesville is a locally-designated route posted along what had been the mainline of US-14 until the early 1950s. At present, only the portion from I-90/I-39 easterly to US-14 east of Janesville runs along a state trunk highway—STH-11. Northwest of Janesville, BUS US-14 runs along CTH-E.

As is the case with many of the locally-designated and -signed business connections in Wisconsin, signage for BUS US-14 seems to be missing at some locations within the city. It is unclear if the route markers are being actively maintained by the local authorities or if they are no longer being replaced as they reach the end of their lifespans.

While CITY US-14 became BUS US-14 in the 1960s (see below), several CITY US-14 route marker assemblies remain in Janesville. In addition, the first reassurance route marker assembly along southeast-bound CTH-E also includes a sign for BUSINESS STH-14.

History:

The curremt US-14 bypass of Janesville was completed and opened to traffic in 1952 and beginning with the 1953 editions of official maps, a "CITY US-14" route began appearing along the former mainline route through downtown Janesville. CITY US-14 followed CTH-E and Washington St into the city from the northwest, jogged east on Mineral Point Ave for three blocks, then southeast through downtown on Franklin St before turning easterly via Racine St before exiting the city.

In c.1963 during a time when all CITY routes around the state were being converted to BUSINESS routes, CITY US-14 at Janesville was redesignated as BUS US-14. In 2001, WisDOT removed the BUS US-14 symbol from the route of CTH-E/Washington St west of the river in Janesville from their official highway map, and in 2006 the remaining BUS US-14 symbol east of the city was removed from the official map.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

NHS:

Two segments of BUS US-14 (Janesville) are on the NHS:

• Along Jackson St from Court St to Racine St.
• Along STH-11/Racine St from I-90/I-39 easterly to US-14.

Weblinks:

• The Many Faces of Business US-14 in Janesville, Wisconsin - a site by Mark W. Hintz, includes photos of two of the remaining CITY US-14 route markers and the erroneous BUS STH-14 assembly as well.

• Wisconsin Photo Gallery - by Rich Carlson, includes several more CITY US-14 route markers.

Western Terminus:

Southern jct of STH-16 & STH-26 on the northern edge of Watertown

Eastern Terminus:

Jct STH-16 & STH-19 on the eastern edge of Watertown

Length:

3.85 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-16

Notes:

Watertown's BUS STH-16 follows the original route of US-16 through the downtown area. While it follows portions of STH-19 and STH-26, it is still a locally-designated and locally-signed route. As such, directional and reassurance signaged for this route is rather lacking. For example, as of 2006, no signage existed to indicate the turn for wbd BUS STH-16 from Main St onto Church St.

History:

The US-16 bypass of Watertown was completed and opened to traffic in 1961. It is assumed the former route through downtown Watertown was designated as BUS US-16 (or possibly CITY US-16 for a short time) at this point. In 1978, when US-16 in Wisconsin was redesignated as STH-16, the route of BUS US-16 at Watertown was redesignated as BUS STH-16 in its entirety as well.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

NHS:

Concurrently with STH-26 along N Church St from STH-19 in downtown northerly to STH-16 north of the city.

Weblinks:

• None.

Western Terminus:

Jct US-18/US-151 & STH-78 (at Exit 65) just west of Mount Horeb

Eastern Terminus:

Jct US-18/US-151 & CTH-ID (at Exit 69) on the east side of Mount Horeb

Length:

3.4 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS US-18 (Mount Horeb)

Notes:

Locally-designated BUS US-18, along with concurrent BUS US-151, travels along the former route of US-18/US-151 through Mount Horeb. It also runs along with STH-78 for just over one-half of its route.

History:

BUS US-18/BUS US-151 through Mount Horeb likely dates back to the fall of 1984 when the community was bypassed by a limited-access expressway segment. The portion of the former route of US-18/US-151 which ran concurrently with STH-78 retained the STH-78 designation, while the portion from STH-78 easterly back to the highway was designated as CTH-ID. Prior to that time, US-18/US-151 ran directly through downtown Mount Horeb.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• Mount Horeb Case Study - a presentation created to illustrate the STH-78 & STH-92 roundabout constructed at Mount Horeb, from MTJ Engineering.

• Highway 78/92 Intersection, Mount Horeb, WI - information from MTJ Engineering.

Western Terminus:

Jct US-18/US-151 & CTH-MV (at Exit 76) on the west side of Verona

Eastern Terminus:

Jct US-18/US-151 & CTH-MV (at Exit 81) on the east side of Verona

Length:

~2.7 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS US-18 (Verona)

Notes:

Locally-designated BUS US-18, along with concurrent BUS US-151, travels along the former route of US-18/US-151 through Verona. It also runs concurrently with CTH-MV for its entire route.

History:

BUS US-18/BUS US-151 through Mount Horeb dates back to Oct 16, 1995 when the community was bypassed by a freeway segment. The former route of US-18/US-151 through downtown Verona was turned back to county control and designated as CTM-MV in addition to its locally-designated business route designation.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Western Terminus:

Cnr STH-23 & S Lawson Dr southwest of downtown Green Lake

Eastern Terminus:

Cnr STH-23 & N Lawson Dr north of downtown Green Lake

Length:

2.4 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-23 (Green Lake)

Notes:

A somewhat odd candidate for a business connection as Green Lake is smaller than communities featuring such rotues, this locally-designated and -signed route is, like so many others, very poorly signed en route. Other than the WisDOT-erected and maintained route markers along STH-23 itself, there are only two other BUS STH-23 route markers in Green Lake, none of which indicate the 90° turn from South St onto Mill St, providing no guidance for motorists attempting to follow the route.

History:

BUS STH-23 through Green Lake has likely existed since STH-23 was routed onto its bypass alignment in 1967. The former route through Green Lake—following S Lawson Dr, South St, Mill St and N Lawson Dr—was turned back to local control and locally-designated as BUS STH-23.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Western Terminus:

Jct STH-23 & CTH-C northwest of downtown Plymouth

Eastern Terminus:

Jct STH-23 & STH-57 northeast of Plymouth

Length:

4.3 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-23 (Plymouth)

Notes:

Other than one block in downtown Plymouth and for approximately 3/4 mile east of the city, Plymouth's locally-designated and locally-signed BUS STH-23 follows county and city streets. Entering the city from the west via Western Ave, it continues southerly along Milwaukee St before turning easterly via Mill St through downtown and along Eastern St to STH-57 east of the city. The route turns northerly via STH-57 to its eastern terminus at the STH-23 interchange.

In stark contrast to many other locally-designated business connections in Wisconsin, Plymouth's BUS STH-23 is very well signed throughout. In a trip in early 2005, this route seemed easy to follow through the city with all major turns signed.

History:

The present STH-23 "bypass" of Plymouth was completed and opened to traffic in late-1985, although only as a two-lane expressway at the time. (It has since been converted to four lanes.) It is presumed at the opening of the bypass, the former route of Plymouth, which was largely turned back to local control, was designated as BUS STH-23 at that time.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Southern Terminus:

STH-26 interchange southwest of Fort Atkinson

Northern Terminus:

STH-26 interchange north of Fort Atkinson

Length:

5.5 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-26 (Fort Atkinson)

Notes:

The locally-designated BUS STH-26 follows the previous alignment of STH-26 through the City of Fort Atkinson, when the mainline route was moved to the present bypass routing in 1995. BUS STH-26 follows Janesville Ave, SW 3rd St, Main St, N 3rd St and High St through the city.

BUS STH-26 runs concurrently with ebd US-12 along SW 3rd St between Robert St-Janesville Ave and Main St and with wbd US-12 along Main St from SW 3rd St to N 3rd St-Madison Ave.

History:

As noted above, BUS STH-26 was created when the existing STH-26 bypass of Fort Atkinson was completed and opened to traffic in 1995.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

NHS:

Concurrently with US-12/Main St for five blocks in downtown Fort Atkinson: from SW 3rd St to N 3rd St.

Weblinks:

• None.

Western Terminus:

STH-29 at Exit 72 (90th St interchange) southwest of Chippewa Falls

Eastern Terminus:

STH-29 at Exit 79 (Seymour Cray Sr Blvd interchange) southeast of downtown Chippewa Falls

Length:

8.6 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-29 (Chippewa Falls)
Map of Greater Eau Claire & Chippewa Falls Area

Notes:

Chippewa Falls' BUS STH-29 route, locally-designated throughout, traverses the former route of STH-29 through the city, although it does run concurrently with STH-124 for a distance. To the west of Chippewa Falls, BUS STH-29 runs along what is now designated CTH-X. It enters the city via River St before turning southerly via STH-124/Bridge St, continuing south on STH-124 to the trumpet interchange where the STH-29 freeway formerly began, then continues east for approximately 3/4 mile to the Seymour Cray Sr Blvd interchange with the STH-29 freeway.

History:

The STH-29 "Chippewa Falls Bypass" opened to traffic on August 15, 2005 and the former route of STH-29 through Chippewa Falls was turned back to local control, with the exception of the portion concurrent with STH-124 immediately south of downtown.

Freeway/Expwy:

BUS STH-29 at Chippewa Falls is expressway from the Chippewa River bridge easterly to the eastern terminus at STH-29.

NHS:

BUS STH-29 is on the NHS from the US-53 interchange on the western edge of Chippewa Falls easterly to the eastern terminus at STH-29.

Weblinks:

• Chippewa Falls finally gets its highway signs - from the Dunn County News.

• Map of Greater Eau Claire & Chippewa Falls Area

Western Terminus:

STH-29 at Exit 131 (Hiline Rd interchange) west of Abbotsford

Eastern Terminus:

STH-29 at Exit 134 (Maple Rd interchange) east of Abbotsford

Length:

2.5 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-29 (Abbotsford)

Notes:

Follows Spruce St through Abbotsford in its entirety.

History:

September 1999 saw the completion of the Abbotsford bypass portion of the STH-29 project. This segment of STH-29 was built to freeway standards from the end of the expressway segment at Badger Ave, where an interchange was built and the highway swings south to bypass Abbotsford. A combination overpass crossing the Wisconsin Central (now CN) Railroad line and STH-13 along with a full interchange was constructed. As the freeway swings back north to rejoin the old highway, an eastern interchange was also constructed, after which, the highway merges back with the existing STH-29. Between the western and eastern interchanges, the former route of STH-29 through Abbotsford was turned back to local control and given the locally-designated BUS STH-29 route designation.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Western Terminus:

Jct US-45, STH-29 & CTH-M on the north side of Wittenberg

Eastern Terminus:

Jct US-45, STH-29 & CTH-Q east of Wittenberg

Length:

2.8 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-29 (Wittenberg)

Notes:

From the east, BUS STH-29 begins at the easternmost US-45 interchange and proceeds north for a short distance along the former US-45 to CTH-Q (ex-STH-29), then west with CTH-Q along the former STH-29 routing into downtown Wittenberg. There, BUS STH-29 turns north to follow CTH-M along the former route of US-45 back to the current STH-29 route along the Wittenberg bypass.

History:

When the STH-29 "Wittenberg Bypass" opened to traffic in July 1999, the former route of STH-29 through Wittenberg was turned back to local control and a portion was given the locally-designated BUS STH-29 route designation.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Western Terminus:

Jct STH-29 & CTH-MMM west of Shawano

Eastern Terminus:

Jct STH-29, STH-47/STH-55 & CTH-K southeast of downtown Shawano

Length:

6.7 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-29 (Shawano)

Notes:

Shawano's BUS STH-29 follows much of the former STH-29 routing through the center of Shawano. While two-thirds of the BUS STH-29 routing runs along designated state trunk highways, it is a locally-designated route.

History:

In the fall of 1998, the STH-29 "Shawano Bypass" was completed and opened to traffic. Initially, a BUS STH-29 designation was added through Shawano, but following a somewhat different route than today. When the bypass originally opened, the CTH-MMM intersection connector had not been completed, so BUS STH-29 began at the STH-22 interchange south of downtown and headed north with STH-22 into downtown where it turned east to follow the former STH-29 along with STH-22/STH-47/STH-55 east through Shawano to Airport Rd, then south with STH-47/STH-55 back to the new STH-29 freeway. Later, when the CTH-MMM intersection with STH-29 was opened, the BUS STH-29 routing was removed from STH-22 and onto the former STH-29 (now CTH-MMM) heading westerly from downtown Shawano to the STH-29 bypass.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Southern Terminus:

Jct US-53, STH-35 & CTH-HD/Holmen Dr south of Holmen

Northern Terminus:

Jct US-53/STH-93, STH-35 & CTH-HD/Holmen Dr northwest of Holmen

Length:

4.1 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-35 (Holmen)

Notes:

A locally-designated and locally-maintained route signed along CTH-HD/Holmen Dr (where the "H" and "D" stand for Holmen Dr), running through the village of Holmen in La Crosse Co. This is not a state trunkline highway. CTH-HD runs along the former route of US-53/STH-35 through the village, and the BUS STH-35 routing begins at the US-53 & STH-35 interchange south of town and ends at the US-53, STH-35 & STH-93 interchange north of town. It is interesting to point out that the local authorities chose a BUS STH-35 routing instead of a BUS US-53 designation...

History:

In c.1989-90, the US-53 freeway from I-90 at the STH-157 interchange northerly back to the existing route of US-53 between Midway and Holmen, bypassing Onalaska to the east, was completed with the former route retaining the STH-35 designation previously co-signed with US-53. Then in late 1992, the US-53/STH-35 freeway was extended northerly bypassing Holmen to the west and merging back with the former route just north of the STH-35 interchange north of Holmen. The former route of US-53 along Holmen Dr was turned back to local control and redesignated CTH-HD/BUS STH-35.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Southern Terminus:

Jct US-8 & STH-40 at cnr Arthur Ave & Main St in downtown Bruce

Northern Terminus:

Jct STH-40 & BUS STH-40/Railroad Ave northwest of downtown Bruce

Length:

0.8 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-40 (Bruce)

Notes:

A locally-designated and -signed route, Bruce's BUS STH-40 follows Main St northerly for two blocks from the US-8 & STH-40 junction to Railroad Ave, then turns westerly and northwesterly via Railroad Ave back to STH-40 northwest of downtown.

History:

During 1999, a western bypass of the Village of Bruce was constructed to carry STH-40 directly south from a sharp turn in the highway northwest of downtown to a new intersection with US-8 on the western end of the village. STH-40 then turned easterly along US-8 back it its existing alignment on Main St downtown. The former route was turned back to local control and designated BUS STH-40.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.

Southern Terminus:

Jct I-43, US-151 & STH-42 (at I-43 Exit 149) on the southwest side of Manitowoc

Northern Terminus:

Jct US-10 & STH-42 (cnr of N 8th St & Waldo Blvd for nbd traffic; cnr N 11th St & Waldo Blvd for sbd traffic) north of downtown Manitowoc

Length:

4.5 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-42 (Manitowoc)

Notes:

While Manitowoc's BUS STH-42 route is locally-designated, it runs along designated state trunk highways in its entirety. From its southern terminus, it runs northeasterly with US-151 via Calumet Ave and S 26th St, then easterly via Custer and Washington Sts into downtown. BUS STH-42 traverses the downtown area concurrently with US-10 on a one-way pair of streets: nbd via 8th St and sbd via 10th, Water and 11th Sts.

WisDOT petitioned the City of Manitowoc Streets & Sanitation Committee in 2004 to decommission BUS STH-42 as it was then attempting to remove all business connections in urbanized areas. The department claimed that business routes in larger cities were somehow causing driver confusion, although it should be pointed out that such business connections have existed in Wisconsin for over sixty years! The city took no action to remove BUS STH-42 and there was even some brief discussion in 2005 of routing the highway designation along Maritime Dr from downtown to STH-42 in the northeast part of the city, however with opposition by downtown business owners, the city did not pursue it.

History:

It is currently unclear when BUS STH-42 at Manitowoc was first signed, but it may date back to the removal of BUS US-141 in c.1980-81. The I-43 freeway bypass of the city was completed at that time and US-141 was truncated back from a terminus in Sheboygan to its present ending southeast of Green Bay at that time. The former BUS US-141 through downtown Manitowoc would have been removed at the same time, possibly replaced by the current BUS STH-42, which itself was rerouted via the I-43 freeway bypass between the US-151 and US-10 [east] interchanges.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

NHS:

Entire route.

Circle Tour:

Lake Michigan Circle Tour: Entire route.

Weblinks:

• None.

Southern Terminus:

Jct STH-42/STH-57 & Green Bay Rd in southwestern Sturgeon Bay

Northern Terminus:

Jct STH-42/STH-57 & Egg Harbor Rd northeast of Sturgeon Bay

Length:

3.55 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS STH-42 (Sturgeon Bay)

Notes:

This locally-designated business connection through downtown Sturgeon Bay is co-signed with BUS STH-57. From STH-42/STH-57 southwest of downtown, BUS STH-42/BUS STH-57 runs northeasterly via Green Bay Rd, northerly on Madison Ave, northeasterly across the Sturgeon Bay bridge and Michigan St. The route turns northwesterly along 3rd Ave for sbd traffic and 4th Ave for nbd traffic to Jefferson St, northeast along Jefferson St, northerly via 8th Ave and northeasterly again along Egg Harbor Rd back to STH-42/STH-57 northeast of the city.

A replacement and/or supplement span to the existing 1930 Michigan St bridge over the Sturgeon River in downtown Sturgeon Bay is scheduled to be complete by 2008. According to WisDOT:

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is planning two major bridge projects in Sturgeon Bay. The first project involves constructing a new bridge from Maple Street to Oregon Street. The second project, reconditioning the existing Michigan Street bridge, will begin once the Maple to Oregon Street bridge is completed. The Maple to Oregon Street bridge will be a rolling-lift bascule girder bridge with mechanically driven center locks. In the closed position, it will provide about 24 feet of vertical clearance to ordinary high water. The bridge will be about 1,055 feet long from pier to pier. [...] The Michigan Street bridge spans the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal in the central business district of Sturgeon Bay in scenic Door County. In engineering terms, the 1,420-foot bridge is comprised of a rolling-lift bascule "movable" span and 12 concrete and steel truss approach spans. The Michigan Street bridge was built in 1930.

History:

The Sturgeon Bay bypass routing of STH-42/STH-57 was completed c.1977, removing those highways from the old downtown routing and the historic bridge crossing Sturgeon Bay. The twin BUS STH-42/BUS STH-57 routings likely date to this time.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• Sturgeon Bay bridge projects - from WisDOT, a comprehensive site with information on the two bridge projects along BUS STH-42/BUS STH-57.

• Continuous Remote Monitoring: Michigan Street Bridge, Sturgeon Bay - PDF document from a Northwestern University Infrastructure Technology Institute presentation in 2004.

• Northwestern University, Infrastructure Technology Institute: Wisconsin Projects: Michigan Street Bridge. From ITI: "A remote global monitoring system has been installed on a 65 year old lift bridge in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin. The system uses both strain gages and clinometers to continuously monitor the "health" of fracture critical components of the bridge."

• Sturgeon Bay, WI: View of the Draw Bridge from the Stone Harbor - photo by Dennis D Pearson.

• Door County's historic Veterans Memorial Bridge in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin - "Celebrating Door County's historic Memorial Bridge in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, now officially known as the Michigan Street Bridge."

Southern Terminus:

Jct US-45, STH-15 & CTH-T southeast of downtown New London

Northern Terminus:

Jct US-45 & STH-54 on the north side of New London

Length:

3.3 miles

Map:

Route Map of BUS US-45 (New London)

Notes:

New London's BUS US-45 is a locally-designated and -signed route following most of the former mainline route of US-45 through the city. From its southern terminus, the route follows CTH-T along Mill St north into town, then west via Beacon St for four blocks, northerly along Pearl St for five blocks, westerly for five blocks on Water St, then northerly on Shawano St to STH-54 where it turns easterly to its northern terminus. This entire route, with the exception of the portion along STH-54, is the former route of US-45.

History:

The US-45 "New London Bypass" from present-day STH-15 northerly was completed in c.1994. At that time, the former route of US-45 through the city was redesignated as the locally-maintained BUS US-45.

Freeway/Expwy:

None.

Weblinks:

• None.