Does WisDOT or FHWA have criteria or standards to determine when to convert from an expressway to a freeway?
Yes. The statewide access management plan is based upon several safety and traffic movement thresholds to help WisDOT determine whether expressway upgrades or freeway conversions are recommended for a highway. This US 12 corridor is within a Tier 1 section of US 12. Access and traffic management goals for Tier 1 sections call for a maximization of interstate/statewide traffic movement and ultimately call for interchanges, and locked/gated driveways for emergency vehicles. This portion of US 12 is a strong candidate for freeway conversion because it is a high priority multi-lane facility and has current and long-term safety issues due to several at-grade intersections.
