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Highway 164 (Wisconsin)
Encyclopedia
State Trunk Highway 164 is a Wisconsin
state highway
running from Slinger
, around the city of Waukesha
, to Waterford
.
and Racine County Highway K, northeast of Waterford
. County Highway K continues to the East towards Racine
at WIS 38
.
Highway 164 swings north on Big Bend Road, through the unincorporated towns of Tichigan and Wind Lake
, crossing the Waukesha County
line and heading into Big Bend
.
In Big Bend
, Highway 164 crosses County Highway L, Janesville Road. CTH L is the former routing of WIS 24
, before it was truncated at Hales Corners
. Continuing north, Highway 164 crosses Interstate 43
at exit 50.
On the outskirts of Waukesha
, WIS 164 intersects with WIS 59
at the Les Paul
Parkway. WIS 164 then heads east and then north along the Parkway with WIS 59, on the east side of Waukesha. At Arcadian Avenue, WIS 59 turns east towards Milwaukee
while Highway 164 continues north to U.S. Highway 18 and East Moreland Boulevard. WIS 164 turns to the east with US 18 to I-94
.
US 18 continues east on Bluemound Road into Brookfield
, while WIS 164 is routed onto westbound I-94
at the Goerkes Corner interchange (Exit 297). Highway 164 is one of only two state highways that are routed onto I-94
in Wisconsin
.
At exit 294, Highway 164 exits its concurrent routing with I-94
and turns north on Pewaukee
Road. County Highway J continues south at the interchange, heading past the Waukesha County
Airport
(Crites Field) to the Waukesha County
Courthouse
.
WIS 164 runs north through the city of Pewaukee
to its intersection with WIS 190
at Capitol Drive. Crossing WIS 190 and heading north and slightly to the west, Highway 164 runs through Sussex
into Washington County.
Highway 164 continues due north through the countryside, crossing WIS 167
, Holy Hill Road and WIS 175
. WIS 164 continues north to its terminus at WIS 60
, just to the east of Slinger
.
and Racine Counties in Wisconsin. Highway 164 serves the following towns and cities:
. 164 originated as a state connecting highway between Waukesha and Pewakuee, according to Christopher Bessert. The routing was changed when a northern extension of St. Paul Avenue opened in 1967.
In the late 1980s, 164 was lengthened to the south to its current terminus in Waterford. The increase in length resulted in a new routing through Waukesha, as 164 ran alongside U.S. Highway 18 on Moreland Road north of downtown to the Waukesha Bypass. The Bypass was built in the 1980s with the intent of routing WIS 59
around the southern edge of the city, eventually connecting US 18 on both sides of Waukesha. The western leg between 59 and 18 was never built due to protest. 164 and 59 run south along the outer edge of Waukesha to South East Avenue, where 164 diverts to the South.
In the late 1990s, Highway 164's original northern terminus of Capitol Drive was extended to its current terminus in Slinger. The extension was a result of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation wanting to connect two major highways, WIS 60
and WIS 190
. The routing change made 164 and 190 share their routing between 164's old terminus at WIS 74 and County Highway J.
A few years later, in 2004, 164 was re-routed again onto the former County Highway J south of Capitol Drive, when that section was changed to a multi-lane divided highway from Interstate 94
north. Highway 164 was then routed to run on Interstate 94
between Highway J and the Goerke's Corners interchange with U.S. Highway 18. The only other Wisconsin state highway to travel concurrently with I-94
is Highway 35
, in Hudson
.
The main reason for such a bypass is due to the traffic congestion in the northern part of Waukesha, especially at the intersection of West Moreland Boulevard, East North Street and East Saint Paul Avenue, on the west side of the Fox River from Frame Park. The heavy-traffic intersection also has a railroad crossing just over the river along Frame Park, and also has the intersection of Moreland and White Rock Avenue.
In the early 1980s, the eastern section of the bypass was completed around the East side of the city of Waukesha, from Moreland Road and U.S. Highway 18 to South East Avenue. The route was designated as Highway 164 for the entire length, with Highway 59
running from Arcadian Avenue to South East Avenue, and then continuing west to Genesee Road. The section between East and Genessee was slowly upgraded, eliminating the at-grade railroad crossing just beyond West Avenue, until the current divided highway was completed by the late 1990s.
The bypass was renamed the Les Paul
Parkway in the 1990s, in honor of the Waukesha native who was a key innovator of the solid-body electric guitar.
Waukesha County is again discussing a plan to complete the western section of the bypass by connecting Highway 59 with what is now County Highway TT. The problem with construction of that portion of the bypass is partially environmental; the routing would require road building through wetlands of the lower Fox River. There is also a rail spur and a large amount of semi-rural residential area that would be affected by new road construction.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
state highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
running from Slinger
Slinger, Wisconsin
Slinger is a village in Washington County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,901 at the 2000 census.-History:Originally named Schleisingerville after the founder, state senator Baruch Schleisinger in 1857, it was shortened during the 1920s to Slinger, a nickname which was already in...
, around the city of Waukesha
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha is a city in and the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. The population was 70,718 at the 2010 census, making it the largest community in the county and 7th largest in the state. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Waukesha...
, to Waterford
Waterford, Wisconsin
Waterford is a village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,048 at the 2000 census. The village is located mostly within the Town of Waterford...
.
Route Description
The Southern terminus of Highway 164 is at the intersection of WIS 36Highway 36 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 36 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs in a diagonal southwest-northeast direction across southeastern Wisconsin from Springfield which is north of Lake Geneva to Milwaukee.- Route description :WIS 36 begins at its intersection with WIS 120, and travels...
and Racine County Highway K, northeast of Waterford
Waterford, Wisconsin
Waterford is a village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,048 at the 2000 census. The village is located mostly within the Town of Waterford...
. County Highway K continues to the East towards Racine
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
at WIS 38
Highway 38 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 38 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is a north–south route that runs through Racine and Milwaukee Counties from downtown Racine in the south to downtown Milwaukee in the north.-Route description:In Racine County, Highway 38 begins near the lake front...
.
Highway 164 swings north on Big Bend Road, through the unincorporated towns of Tichigan and Wind Lake
Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Wind Lake is a census-designated place in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,342 at the 2010 census. Wind Lake is in the town of Norway.-Geography:Wind Lake is located at ....
, crossing the Waukesha County
Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Waukesha County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2008, the population was 380,629. Its county seat is Waukesha.-History:The part of Wisconsin that Waukesha County now occupies was a part of Michigan when Milwaukee County was organized in September 1834. On July 4, 1836, the...
line and heading into Big Bend
Big Bend, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Big Bend is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,278 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Big Bend is located at ....
.
In Big Bend
Big Bend, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Big Bend is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,278 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Big Bend is located at ....
, Highway 164 crosses County Highway L, Janesville Road. CTH L is the former routing of WIS 24
Highway 24 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 24 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The route a multi-lane urban arterial that serves southwestern Milwaukee County suburbs of West Allis, Greenfield and Hales Corners...
, before it was truncated at Hales Corners
Hales Corners, Wisconsin
Hales Corners is a village in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,765 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hales Corners is located in southwestern Milwaukee County...
. Continuing north, Highway 164 crosses Interstate 43
Interstate 43
Interstate 43 is a intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the U.S. state of Wisconsin, connecting Interstate 39 and Interstate 90 in Beloit with Milwaukee and U.S. Route 41 and U.S. Route 141 in Green Bay. I-43 is the 5th longest intrastate Interstate Highway of the Interstate...
at exit 50.
On the outskirts of Waukesha
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha is a city in and the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. The population was 70,718 at the 2010 census, making it the largest community in the county and 7th largest in the state. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Waukesha...
, WIS 164 intersects with WIS 59
Highway 59 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 59 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs east–west in southeast Wisconsin from Milwaukee to Monroe....
at the Les Paul
Les Paul
Lester William Polsfuss —known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations...
Parkway. WIS 164 then heads east and then north along the Parkway with WIS 59, on the east side of Waukesha. At Arcadian Avenue, WIS 59 turns east towards Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
while Highway 164 continues north to U.S. Highway 18 and East Moreland Boulevard. WIS 164 turns to the east with US 18 to I-94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
.
US 18 continues east on Bluemound Road into Brookfield
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Brookfield is a city located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It had a population of 37,920 in the 2010 census. Brookfield is the second largest city in Waukesha County, and the leading commercial suburb of Milwaukee. The City of Brookfield was formed in 1954 from the Town of...
, while WIS 164 is routed onto westbound I-94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
at the Goerkes Corner interchange (Exit 297). Highway 164 is one of only two state highways that are routed onto I-94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
At exit 294, Highway 164 exits its concurrent routing with I-94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
and turns north on Pewaukee
Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Pewaukee is a city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The population was 11,783 at the 2000 census. The city was incorporated from what was formerly the Town of Pewaukee. The Village of Pewaukee, which was incorporated out of the town before it incorporated as a city, is surrounded by the city...
Road. County Highway J continues south at the interchange, heading past the Waukesha County
Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Waukesha County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2008, the population was 380,629. Its county seat is Waukesha.-History:The part of Wisconsin that Waukesha County now occupies was a part of Michigan when Milwaukee County was organized in September 1834. On July 4, 1836, the...
Airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
(Crites Field) to the Waukesha County
Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Waukesha County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2008, the population was 380,629. Its county seat is Waukesha.-History:The part of Wisconsin that Waukesha County now occupies was a part of Michigan when Milwaukee County was organized in September 1834. On July 4, 1836, the...
Courthouse
Courthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
.
WIS 164 runs north through the city of Pewaukee
Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Pewaukee is a city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The population was 11,783 at the 2000 census. The city was incorporated from what was formerly the Town of Pewaukee. The Village of Pewaukee, which was incorporated out of the town before it incorporated as a city, is surrounded by the city...
to its intersection with WIS 190
Highway 190 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 190 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs east–west in southeast Wisconsin from Pewaukee to Shorewood....
at Capitol Drive. Crossing WIS 190 and heading north and slightly to the west, Highway 164 runs through Sussex
Sussex, Wisconsin
Sussex is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It is approximately northwest of Milwaukee and north of Waukesha. The village is at an elevation of 930 feet. The population was 8,828 at the 2000 census, with an estimated population of 10,045 in 2008...
into Washington County.
Highway 164 continues due north through the countryside, crossing WIS 167
Highway 167 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 167 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs in east–west in southeast Wisconsin from Hartford to Mequon passing through southern Washington and Ozaukee Counties.-Route description:Highway 167 begins at WIS 83 south of Hartford; west of WIS 83, the road...
, Holy Hill Road and WIS 175
Highway 175 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 175 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs north–south in central Wisconsin from in Milwaukee to just south of Fond du Lac....
. WIS 164 continues north to its terminus at WIS 60
Highway 60 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 60 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs east–west in southern Wisconsin from the town of Grafton on Lake Michigan, to Prairie du Chien on the Mississippi River at the Iowa state line....
, just to the east of Slinger
Slinger, Wisconsin
Slinger is a village in Washington County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,901 at the 2000 census.-History:Originally named Schleisingerville after the founder, state senator Baruch Schleisinger in 1857, it was shortened during the 1920s to Slinger, a nickname which was already in...
.
Municipalities
Highway 164 travels through Washington, WaukeshaWaukesha County, Wisconsin
Waukesha County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2008, the population was 380,629. Its county seat is Waukesha.-History:The part of Wisconsin that Waukesha County now occupies was a part of Michigan when Milwaukee County was organized in September 1834. On July 4, 1836, the...
and Racine Counties in Wisconsin. Highway 164 serves the following towns and cities:
- WaterfordWaterford, WisconsinWaterford is a village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,048 at the 2000 census. The village is located mostly within the Town of Waterford...
- Big BendBig Bend, Waukesha County, WisconsinBig Bend is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,278 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Big Bend is located at ....
- ColgateColgate, WisconsinColgate is an unincorporated community in Washington County, Wisconsin, United States, straddling the county line with Waukesha County. Colgate is located partially in the village of Richfield, and the town of Lisbon....
- WaukeshaWaukesha, WisconsinWaukesha is a city in and the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. The population was 70,718 at the 2010 census, making it the largest community in the county and 7th largest in the state. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Waukesha...
- PewaukeePewaukee, WisconsinPewaukee is a city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The population was 11,783 at the 2000 census. The city was incorporated from what was formerly the Town of Pewaukee. The Village of Pewaukee, which was incorporated out of the town before it incorporated as a city, is surrounded by the city...
- RichfieldRichfield, Washington County, WisconsinRichfield is a village in Washington County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 10,373 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. The unincorporated communities of Colgate and Hubertus are located partially in Richfield.-Incorporation:...
- SussexSussex, WisconsinSussex is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It is approximately northwest of Milwaukee and north of Waukesha. The village is at an elevation of 930 feet. The population was 8,828 at the 2000 census, with an estimated population of 10,045 in 2008...
- SlingerSlinger, WisconsinSlinger is a village in Washington County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,901 at the 2000 census.-History:Originally named Schleisingerville after the founder, state senator Baruch Schleisinger in 1857, it was shortened during the 1920s to Slinger, a nickname which was already in...
History
Most of Highway 164's routing changes have occurred in and around the city of WaukeshaWaukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha is a city in and the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. The population was 70,718 at the 2010 census, making it the largest community in the county and 7th largest in the state. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Waukesha...
. 164 originated as a state connecting highway between Waukesha and Pewakuee, according to Christopher Bessert. The routing was changed when a northern extension of St. Paul Avenue opened in 1967.
In the late 1980s, 164 was lengthened to the south to its current terminus in Waterford. The increase in length resulted in a new routing through Waukesha, as 164 ran alongside U.S. Highway 18 on Moreland Road north of downtown to the Waukesha Bypass. The Bypass was built in the 1980s with the intent of routing WIS 59
Highway 59 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 59 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs east–west in southeast Wisconsin from Milwaukee to Monroe....
around the southern edge of the city, eventually connecting US 18 on both sides of Waukesha. The western leg between 59 and 18 was never built due to protest. 164 and 59 run south along the outer edge of Waukesha to South East Avenue, where 164 diverts to the South.
In the late 1990s, Highway 164's original northern terminus of Capitol Drive was extended to its current terminus in Slinger. The extension was a result of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation wanting to connect two major highways, WIS 60
Highway 60 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 60 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs east–west in southern Wisconsin from the town of Grafton on Lake Michigan, to Prairie du Chien on the Mississippi River at the Iowa state line....
and WIS 190
Highway 190 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 190 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs east–west in southeast Wisconsin from Pewaukee to Shorewood....
. The routing change made 164 and 190 share their routing between 164's old terminus at WIS 74 and County Highway J.
A few years later, in 2004, 164 was re-routed again onto the former County Highway J south of Capitol Drive, when that section was changed to a multi-lane divided highway from Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
north. Highway 164 was then routed to run on Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
between Highway J and the Goerke's Corners interchange with U.S. Highway 18. The only other Wisconsin state highway to travel concurrently with I-94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
is Highway 35
Highway 35 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 35 is a Wisconsin state highway running north–south across western Wisconsin. It is in length, and is the longest state highway in Wisconsin...
, in Hudson
Hudson, Wisconsin
Hudson is a city in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 18,937, making it the principal and largest city of the Minneapolis - St. Paul metropolitan area . The Hudson area however had a population of 39,713...
.
The Waukesha Bypass
The concept of a bypass highway around the perimeter of the city of Waukesha was first floated in the 1950s, as part of the first freeway plans in the state.The main reason for such a bypass is due to the traffic congestion in the northern part of Waukesha, especially at the intersection of West Moreland Boulevard, East North Street and East Saint Paul Avenue, on the west side of the Fox River from Frame Park. The heavy-traffic intersection also has a railroad crossing just over the river along Frame Park, and also has the intersection of Moreland and White Rock Avenue.
In the early 1980s, the eastern section of the bypass was completed around the East side of the city of Waukesha, from Moreland Road and U.S. Highway 18 to South East Avenue. The route was designated as Highway 164 for the entire length, with Highway 59
Highway 59 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 59 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs east–west in southeast Wisconsin from Milwaukee to Monroe....
running from Arcadian Avenue to South East Avenue, and then continuing west to Genesee Road. The section between East and Genessee was slowly upgraded, eliminating the at-grade railroad crossing just beyond West Avenue, until the current divided highway was completed by the late 1990s.
The bypass was renamed the Les Paul
Les Paul
Lester William Polsfuss —known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations...
Parkway in the 1990s, in honor of the Waukesha native who was a key innovator of the solid-body electric guitar.
Waukesha County is again discussing a plan to complete the western section of the bypass by connecting Highway 59 with what is now County Highway TT. The problem with construction of that portion of the bypass is partially environmental; the routing would require road building through wetlands of the lower Fox River. There is also a rail spur and a large amount of semi-rural residential area that would be affected by new road construction.