U.S. Route 12 in Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
In 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 portions 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
. It then provides an alternative 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 freeways, and the segment between Sauk City
and Middleton is an expressway
. The remainder of the road is a two-lane surface road or an urban multi-lane arterial. Between Hudson and west of Warrens
, the road closely parallels the former main line of the Omaha Road, now operated by Union Pacific Railroad
.
from Minnesota concurrent with I-94 into St. Croix County
. Wisconsin Highway 35 (WIS 35) joins both routes upon their entry into Wisconsin and exits south three miles (5 km) east. U.S. 12 leaves I-94 one mile (1.6 km) further east from the eastern WIS 35 exit, treks two miles (3 km) north and parallels the interstate. The highway crosses WIS 65 in Roberts
and passes through Hammond
over a fifteen-mile (24 km) segment to Baldwin
, where it crosses U.S. 63. U.S. 12 passes through Woodville
four miles (6 km) east of Baldwin and crosses WIS 128 in Wilson
, two miles (3 km) west of the Dunn County line. Roughly three miles into Dunn County, U.S. 12 passes through Knapp, Wisconsin
, then turns southeastward, connecting with WIS 79 six miles (10 km) further; it then joins WIS 25 (North Broadway Street) to the 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. 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 County
U.S. 12 merges with WIS 312 east (North Crossing) for two miles (3 km) before turning south onto Clairemont Avenue, bypassing downtown Eau Claire to the south and west. WIS 37 joins 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
. 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 Fairchild
U.S. 12 and WIS 27 turn southward and pass through Humbird
in Clark County and into Jackson County.
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 County
. The highway crosses I-94 (with 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 131 near Mill Bluff State Park
. The highways continue paralleling I-90
and I-94 southeast and pass through Oakdale
and into Juneau County
.
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 trek eastward and pass through Lyndon Station
, where Rocky Arbor State Park
is located. The highways turn southeast again and cross the Interstates into Sauk County
and Wisconsin Dells. 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 district, — passing such attractions as Noah's Ark Waterpark, the Wisconsin Ducks boat tours, Kalahari Resort, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Wilderness Territory, and Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show
. WIS 23 turns west onto Monroe Ave as U.S. 12 turns southeast and crosses the Interstates.
; 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 (11 km) 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.
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 (3 km), 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 crossed by a railroad track at the surface until 2007. The crossing was isolated using Jersey barrier
s until that time. The freeway also had several ramps, which contained driveways that accessed businesses. 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. 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
.
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 briefly enters Rock County
before crossing into Walworth County 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
.
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 Clifton
to reach New Lisbon.
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 a straighter and flatter path 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. However, an upgrade of U.S. 12 from Baraboo to I-90
/ I-94
at Lake Delton was approved and was completed in 2011.
In Wisconsin, the highway was designated as the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway in 1993 to honor the Civil War Union Army unit; it also has this designation in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
, U.S. Route 12
U.S. Route 12
U.S. Route 12 or US 12 is an east–west United States highway, running from Grays Harbor on the Pacific Ocean, in the state of Washington, to downtown Detroit, for almost . As a thoroughfare, it has mostly been supplanted by I-90 and I-94, but remains an important road for local travel.The...
(normally called U.S. Highway 12, Highway 12 or U.S. 12) runs east–west across the western to southeast portions of the state. It enters from Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
(concurrently
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with 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...
) at Hudson, parallels the interstate to Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells is a city in south-central Wisconsin, with a population of 2,418 as of the 2000 census. It straddles four counties: Adams, Columbia, Juneau, and Sauk. The city takes its name from the dells of the Wisconsin River, a scenic, glacially formed gorge that features striking sandstone...
, and provides local access to cities such as Menomonie
Menomonie, Wisconsin
Two other spellings of the name appear elsewhere, see Menomonee and Menominee. For the town, see Menomonie .Menomonie is a city in and the county seat of Dunn County in the western part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The city's population was 16,264 as of the 2010 census...
, Eau Claire
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire is a city located in the west-central part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 65,883 as of the 2010 census, making it the largest municipality in the northwestern portion of the state, and the 9th largest in the state overall. It is the county seat of Eau Claire County,...
, Black River Falls
Black River Falls, Wisconsin
Black River Falls is a city in Jackson County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,622 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jackson County. The Ho-Chunk Nation has its administrative center in Black River Falls.-History:...
, Tomah
Tomah, Wisconsin
Tomah is a city in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 9,093. The city is located partially within the Town of Tomah.-Education:...
and Mauston
Mauston, Wisconsin
Mauston is a city in and the county seat of Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population is 4,411 according to the 2010 census.-History:...
. It then provides an alternative route for traffic between northwestern Wisconsin and Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
and is the anchor route for the West Beltline Highway around Madison. Finally, it serves southeastern Wisconsin, connecting Madison with Whitewater
Whitewater, Wisconsin
Whitewater is a city in Jefferson and Walworth Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located near the southern portion of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, Whitewater is the home of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.-Geography:...
, Elkhorn
Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Elkhorn is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. It is southwest of Milwaukee and northwest of Chicago. The population was 7,305 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Walworth County...
and Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Lake Geneva is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,148 at the 2000 census. A resort city located on Geneva Lake, it is southwest of Milwaukee and popular with tourists from metropolitan Chicago and Milwaukee.-History:...
. The West Beltline Highway and the segment between Elkhorn and Lake Geneva are freeways, and the segment between Sauk City
Sauk City, Wisconsin
Sauk City is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,109 at the 2000 census. The first incorporated village in the state, the community was founded by Agoston Haraszthy and his business partner, Robert Bryant...
and Middleton is an expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
. The remainder of the road is a two-lane surface road or an urban multi-lane arterial. Between Hudson and west of Warrens
Warrens, Wisconsin
Warrens is a village in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States off I-94. The population was 286 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Warrens is located at ....
, the road closely parallels the former main line of the Omaha Road, now operated by Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
.
Hudson to Lake Delton
U.S. 12 crosses the St. Croix RiverSt. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)
The St. Croix River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The lower of the river form the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The river is a National Scenic Riverway under the protection of the National Park Service. A...
from Minnesota concurrent with I-94 into St. Croix County
St. Croix County, Wisconsin
St. Croix County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 84,345. Its county seat is Hudson. St. Croix County is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area . It is the fastest growing county in Wisconsin.-Geography:According to the U.S...
. Wisconsin Highway 35 (WIS 35) joins both routes upon their entry into Wisconsin and exits south three miles (5 km) east. U.S. 12 leaves I-94 one mile (1.6 km) further east from the eastern WIS 35 exit, treks two miles (3 km) north and parallels the interstate. The highway crosses WIS 65 in Roberts
Roberts, Wisconsin
Roberts is a village in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 969 at the 2000 census. In 2009, the population was estimated to be 1,658, a 71.1% increase...
and passes through Hammond
Hammond, Wisconsin
Hammond is a village in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,153 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Hammond.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....
over a fifteen-mile (24 km) segment to Baldwin
Baldwin, Wisconsin
Baldwin is a village in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,667 at the 2000 census, and was estimated to be 3,903 in 2008, a growth rate of 39%...
, where it crosses U.S. 63. U.S. 12 passes through Woodville
Woodville, Wisconsin
Woodville is a village in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,104 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Woodville is located at ....
four miles (6 km) east of Baldwin and crosses WIS 128 in Wilson
Wilson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Wilson is a village in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 176 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wilson is located at ....
, two miles (3 km) west of the Dunn County line. Roughly three miles into Dunn County, U.S. 12 passes through Knapp, Wisconsin
Knapp, Dunn County, Wisconsin
Knapp is a village in Dunn County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 421 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Knapp is located at ....
, then turns southeastward, connecting with WIS 79 six miles (10 km) further; it then joins WIS 25 (North Broadway Street) to the 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. The highways meet an interchange with I-94, then split one half of a mile east in Elk Mound
Elk Mound, Wisconsin
Elk Mound is a village in Dunn County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 785 at the 2000 census. The village, named for Elk Mound, is located within the Town of Elk Mound.-Geography:Elk Mound is located at ....
at the junction with WIS 40. U.S. 12 passes through Elk Mound and enters Eau Claire County
Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
Eau Claire County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population estimate was 98,736. Its county seat is Eau Claire....
U.S. 12 merges with WIS 312 east (North Crossing) for two miles (3 km) before turning south onto Clairemont Avenue, bypassing downtown Eau Claire to the south and west. WIS 37 joins 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
Altoona, Wisconsin
Altoona is a city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 6,706 at the 2010 census. The city is a railroad terminal on the Union Pacific Railroad.-History:...
is Wisconsin's only single-point urban interchange
Single-point urban interchange
A single-point urban interchange , also called a single-point interchange or single-point diamond interchange , is a type of highway interchange...
. U.S. 12 continues east out of the Eau Claire metropolitan area and passes through Fall Creek
Fall Creek, Wisconsin
Fall Creek is a village in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,236 at the 2000 census. The village is located within and entirely surrounded by the Town of Lincoln.-Geography:Fall Creek is located at ....
, where it turns southeastward to join WIS 27 south in Augusta
Augusta, Wisconsin
Augusta is a city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,550 at the 2010 census. The city is located entirely within the Town of Bridge Creek.-Geography:Augusta is located at ....
. The two highways briefly join U.S. 10
U.S. Route 10 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 10 runs east–west across the central part of the state. It runs from the Prescott Drawbridge over the St...
on the Jackson County
Jackson County, Wisconsin
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 19,886. Its county seat is Black River Falls. Jackson County was formed from Crawford County in 1853.-Geography:According to the U.S...
line in Fairchild
Fairchild, Wisconsin
Fairchild is a village in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 564 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Fairchild.-Geography:Fairchild is located at ....
U.S. 12 and WIS 27 turn southward and pass through Humbird
Humbird, Wisconsin
Humbird is an unincorporated census-designated place located in Clark County, Wisconsin, United States. Humbird is located on U.S. Route 12 north-northwest of Merrillan, in the town of Mentor. Humbird has a post office with ZIP code 54746...
in Clark County and into Jackson County.
U.S. 12 and WIS 27 cross WIS 95 in Merrillan
Merrillan, Wisconsin
Merrillan is a village in Jackson County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 585 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Merrillan is located at ....
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
Millston, Wisconsin
Millston is a town in Jackson County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 136 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Speck Oaks is located in the town...
and into Monroe County
Monroe County, Wisconsin
Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 40,899. Its county seat is Sparta.-Geography:According to the U.S...
. The highway crosses I-94 (with no access) south of Kirby
Kirby, Wisconsin
Kirby is an unincorporated community located in the town of Lincoln, Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States....
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 131 near Mill Bluff State Park
Mill Bluff State Park
Mill Bluff State Park is a state park of Wisconsin, USA, preserving several prominent sandstone bluffs. The park is located in eastern Monroe and western Juneau counties, near the village of Camp Douglas, and is a unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve. The park protects several...
. The highways continue paralleling I-90
Interstate 90 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, Interstate 90 runs east–west through the western, central and southern portions of the state. A total of of Interstate 90 lie in Wisconsin.-Route description:...
and I-94 southeast and pass through Oakdale
Oakdale, Wisconsin
Oakdale is a village in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 402 at the 2010 census. The village is located within the Town of Oakdale.-Geography:Oakdale is located at ....
and into Juneau County
Juneau County, Wisconsin
Juneau County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the population was 24,316. Its county seat is Mauston. It should not, however, be confused with the city of Juneau, Wisconsin, to which it has no connection.-Geography:...
.
U.S. 12 and WIS 16 pass through Camp Douglas
Camp Douglas, Wisconsin
Camp Douglas is a village in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 592 at the 2000 census. Camp Douglas is home to Volk Field Air National Guard Base.-History:...
and cross WIS 80 in New Lisbon
New Lisbon, Wisconsin
New Lisbon is a city in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,436 at the 2000 census.-Geography:New Lisbon is located at ....
. The highways then junction with WIS 58 and WIS 82 in Mauston as they continue southeast. The routes trek eastward and pass through Lyndon Station
Lyndon Station, Wisconsin
Lyndon Station is a village in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 458 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lyndon Station is located at ....
, where Rocky Arbor State Park
Rocky Arbor State Park
Rocky Arbor State Park is a Wisconsin state park in the Wisconsin Dells region. The park was established in 1932 to protect sandstone outcrops eroded into picturesque walls and ledges.-Natural history:...
is located. The highways turn southeast again and cross the Interstates into Sauk County
Sauk County, Wisconsin
Sauk County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 55,225. Its county seat and largest city is Baraboo. Sauk County is included in the Baraboo Micropolitan Statistical Area and in the Madison Combined Statistical Area....
and Wisconsin Dells. 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
Wisconsin Dells Parkway
The Wisconsin Dells Parkway is a 4.5 mile section of road that runs from Interstate 90/Interstate 94 in Lake Delton, Wisconsin to the intersection of Wisconsin Highway 13 and Wisconsin Highway 16 in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It is concurrent with U.S. Route 12 the entire time, picking up...
south into the heart of the Wisconsin Dells tourism district, — passing such attractions as Noah's Ark Waterpark, the Wisconsin Ducks boat tours, Kalahari Resort, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Wilderness Territory, and Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show
Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show
Tommy Bartlett's Water Ski & Jumping Boat Thrill Show, more commonly known as the Tommy Bartlett Show, is a popular tourist attraction in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The show was created in 1952 by Wisconsin showman Tommy Bartlett as a traveling group of entertainers, based in Chicago, Illinois...
. WIS 23 turns west onto Monroe Ave as U.S. 12 turns southeast and crosses the Interstates.
Lake Delton to Cambridge
WIS 33 joins U.S. 12 three miles (5 km) north of BarabooBaraboo, Wisconsin
Baraboo is the largest city in, and the county seat of Sauk County, Wisconsin, USA. It is situated on the Baraboo River. Its 2010 population was 12,048 according to the US Census Bureau...
; the routes split in West Baraboo
West Baraboo, Wisconsin
West Baraboo is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, along the Baraboo River. The population was 1,248 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baraboo micropolitan statistical area.-Geography:West Baraboo is located at ....
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 (11 km) as it approaches Sauk City. WIS 60 briefly joins U.S. 12 in Sauk City and WIS 78 crosses the Wisconsin River
Wisconsin River
-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...
concurrently with U.S. 12 into Dane County
Dane County, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
. U.S. 12 becomes an expressway again at the county line and continues southeast, crossing WIS 19 at Springfield Corners
Springfield Corners, Wisconsin
Springfield Corners is an unincorporated community located in the town of Springfield, Dane County, Wisconsin, United States....
. Just northwest of Middleton
Middleton, Wisconsin
Middleton is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. It is a western suburb of the state capital, Madison but it was actually founded before Madison. It got its name from Middletown, Connecticut; the "w" being dropped was due to a paper work error made by long time historian Edward Kromrey...
, the route becomes a freeway as it enters the Madison area along the West Beltline Highway.
U.S. 12 merges with U.S. 14
U.S. Route 14 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 14 runs northwest-southeast across the western to southwest portions of the state. It links La Crosse and the southwestern portion of the state with Madison and Janesville...
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
U.S. Route 18 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 18 runs east–west across the southern part of the state. The highway serves as major connecting route between Madison and the southwest corner of the state...
and U.S. 151 join the beltline off Verona Road in southwestern Madison. The four routes travel concurrently for two miles (3 km), passing through interchanges with Todd Drive and Fish Hatchery Road before U.S. 14 leaves south towards Janesville
Janesville, Wisconsin
Janesville is a city in southern Wisconsin, United States. It is the county seat of Rock County and the principal municipality of the Janesville, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 62,998.-History:...
and U.S. 151 north into downtown Madison via Park Street. The four-way concurrency was crossed by a railroad track at the surface until 2007. The crossing was isolated using Jersey barrier
Jersey barrier
A Jersey barrier or Jersey wall is a modular concrete barrier employed to separate lanes of traffic. It is designed to both minimize vehicle damage in cases of incidental contact while still preventing crossover in the case of head-on accidents....
s until that time. The freeway also had several ramps, which contained driveways that accessed businesses. U.S. 12 and U.S. 18 continue east into Monona
Monona, Wisconsin
Monona is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 8,046 as of 2007. It is completely surrounded by Madison and is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Monona is located at ....
and cross the Upper Mud Lake channel. The highways meet U.S. 51
U.S. Route 51 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 51 runs north–south down the central part of the state...
at Stoughton Road, then interchange with I-39 and I-90 on the southeast side of Madison. U.S. 12 and U.S. 18 continue as an expressway east of the interstates, junctioning with WIS 73 in Deerfield
Deerfield, Wisconsin
Deerfield is a village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,319 at the 2010 census. The village is located within the Town of Deerfield. It is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and splitting, with U.S. 12 turning southeast into Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 74,021. Its county seat is Jefferson.-Geography:According to the U.S...
in Cambridge
Cambridge, Wisconsin
Cambridge is a village located in Dane and Jefferson Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,100 at the 2000 census.The Dane County portion of Cambridge is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Jefferson County portion is part of the...
.
Cambridge to Genoa City
After leaving Cambridge, U.S. 12 passes through OaklandOakland, Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Oakland is a town in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,135 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Oakland and Sylvan Mounds are located in the town.-Geography:...
and crosses WIS 26, WIS 89, and WIS 106 in Fort Atkinson
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Fort Atkinson is a city in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located on the Rock River, a few miles upstream from Lake Koshkonong. In 1996, Money Magazine named Fort Atkinson "One of America's Hottest Little Boomtowns." The population was 11,621 at the 2000 census.- History :Fort...
. WIS 89 joins U.S. 12 as the route turns southward to approach Whitewater, bypassing the city to the south into Walworth County
Walworth County, Wisconsin
Walworth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 102,228. Its county seat is Elkhorn.-Geography:According to the U.S...
. The route briefly enters Rock County
Rock County, Wisconsin
-Unincorporated communities:-Further reading:* . Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879.* Brown, William F. , Chicago: Cooper, 1908.* Brown, William F. , Chicago: Cooper, 1908....
before crossing into Walworth County 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
La Grange, Walworth County, Wisconsin
La Grange is a town in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,444 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Lauderdale Lakes is located in the town.-Geography:...
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
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...
. 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
Genoa City, Wisconsin
Genoa City is a village located in Kenosha, and Walworth Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, 43 miles south-southwest of Milwaukee. The population was 1,949 at the 2000 census....
, where the freeway ends and U.S. 12 follows the crossroad into Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
.
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 changes resulting from the construction of freeways and U.S. 12 being aligned on them, some 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 ShamrockShamrock, Wisconsin
Shamrock is an unincorporated community located in the town of Manchester, Jackson County, Wisconsin, United States. Shamrock is located along Wisconsin Highway 27 south-southeast of Black River Falls....
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
Hustler, Wisconsin
Hustler is a village in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 113 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hustler is located at ....
and Clifton
Clifton, Wisconsin
Clifton is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Wisconsin:*Clifton, Grant County, Wisconsin*Clifton, Monroe County, Wisconsin*Clifton, Pierce County, Wisconsin...
to reach New Lisbon.
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 a straighter and flatter path 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. However, an upgrade of U.S. 12 from Baraboo to I-90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
/ 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 Lake Delton was approved and was completed in 2011.
In Wisconsin, the highway was designated as the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway in 1993 to honor the Civil War Union Army unit; it also has this designation in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.
Hudson to Middleton
Middleton to Cambridge
| County | Location | Mile | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dane Dane County, Wisconsin As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile... |
Middleton Middleton, Wisconsin Middleton is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. It is a western suburb of the state capital, Madison but it was actually founded before Madison. It got its name from Middletown, Connecticut; the "w" being dropped was due to a paper work error made by long time historian Edward Kromrey... |
249 | Parmenter St | ||
| 250 | – Airport Rd, Century Ave | CTH M follow US 12 East | |||
| 251A | University Ave use Exit 251A US 14 East follow US 12 East |
||||
| 251B | Parmenter St | Westbound exit only | |||
| Madison Madison, Wisconsin Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison.... |
252 | Greenway Blvd | |||
| 253 | Old Sauk Rd | ||||
| 254 | – Mineral Point Rd | ||||
| 255 | Gammon Rd | ||||
| 257 | Whitney Way | ||||
| 258 | US 18 East / US 151 North follow US 12 / US 14 East | ||||
| 258A | Seminole Hwy | Eastbound entrance; Westbound exit only | |||
| 259 | Todd Dr | ||||
| 260A-B | – Fish Hatchery Rd | Two Exits Eastbound, One Exit Westbound | |||
| 261A | Eastbound POV | ||||
| 261B | – Park St | Eastbound POV | |||
| 261A-B | Westbound POV US 14 West / US 141 South follow US 12 West / US 18 West |
||||
| 262 | Rimrock Rd | ||||
| 263 | John Nolen Dr | ||||
| Monona Monona, Wisconsin Monona is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 8,046 as of 2007. It is completely surrounded by Madison and is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Monona is located at .... |
264 | South Towne Dr | |||
| 265 | Monona Dr | ||||
| Madison Madison, Wisconsin Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison.... |
266 | – Stoughton Rd | McFarland use Exit 266 | ||
| 267A | , Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... |
||||
| 267B | |||||
| Door Creek Door Creek, Wisconsin Door Creek is an unincorporated community located in the town of Cottage Grove, Dane County, Wisconsin, United States.... |
272 |
Cambridge to Elkhorn
Elkhorn to Genoa City
| County | Location | Mile | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walworth Walworth County, Wisconsin Walworth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 102,228. Its county seat is Elkhorn.-Geography:According to the U.S... |
Elkhorn Elkhorn, Wisconsin Elkhorn is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. It is southwest of Milwaukee and northwest of Chicago. The population was 7,305 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Walworth County... |
321A-B | |||
| 321C | |||||
| Lake Geneva Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Lake Geneva is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,148 at the 2000 census. A resort city located on Geneva Lake, it is southwest of Milwaukee and popular with tourists from metropolitan Chicago and Milwaukee.-History:... |
328 | ||||
| 330A | Eastbound | ||||
| 330B | |||||
| 330 A-B | Westbound | ||||
| Pell Lake Pell Lake, Wisconsin Pell Lake is a census-designated place in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,722 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Pell Lake is located at .... |
335 | Pell Lake Rd |