U.S. Route 51 in Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
In the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
, U.S. Route 51
(normally called U.S. Highway 51, Highway 51 or US 51) runs north–south down the central part of the state. It enters from Illinois
at Beloit, and runs north to its northern terminus in Hurley where it junctions with US 2
.
, and Stoughton
, then passes through the east side of Madison as a side route paralleling Interstate 39
and Interstate 90
on the west side. North of Madison, US 51 parallels the interstate on the east side passing through De Forest
and Portage
. The route joins I-39 north of Portage. They stay joined until I-39 ends at WIS 29. Along the way, the route bypasses the small communities of Endeavor, Packwaukee, Westfield, Coloma, Hancock, Plainfield, Plover, and Whiting prior to arriving at Stevens Point
. Proceeding north from Stevens Point, the highway bypasses Knowlton, Mosinee, and Rothschild where I-39 terminates at WIS 29 East interchange. US 51 continues on with WIS 29 for 5 miles (8 km) bypassing Schofield, then proceeding into Wausau
where WIS 29 splits to the west. US 51 continues as a freeway to Merrill
The section of US 51 from Portage at its junction with I-39 to Merrill is built to Interstate highway standards. The freeway in the Wausau area was not originally fully up to interstate standards, but a project to upgrade the freeway to full interstate standards in the area was recently completed. The upgrades in the Wausau area replaced all of the existing 1963-era low clearance overpasses; upgraded the WIS 29 East, CTH N
, CTH NN
, Sherman St, WIS 52, and Bridge St interchanges; and constructed a free-flow interchange for WIS 29 West. US 51 exists as an expressway from CTH K
on the north side of Merrill further north to CTH S
south of Tomahawk with 6 grade-level intersections. CTH S begins another stretch of Freeway with 4 grade-separated interchanges before the highway becomes a two-lane road just north of US 8 at the Oneida County
line.
The highway passes through Minocqua
, Manitowish Waters
, and Mercer
on its northwest trek toward Hurley and its terminus — at its junction with US 2.
US 51 was upgraded to a full freeway over a period of 25 years from Merrill to Portage. The freeway continues around Portage to the West as I-39 (originally as WIS 78) to connect with I-90 and I-94 while US 51 continues along surface roads into and through Portage. In the 1990s, US 51 was designated as I-39 from its junction with WIS 29 eastbound in Wausau to where it left the freeway at Exit 92 in Portage. US 51 remained cosigned with I-39 along this entire stretch of road. Further expansion of the highway northward took place in 2000 when the highway was upgraded to an expressway up to US 8.
The Wisconsin mileage of US 51 is designated by the state as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
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 51
U.S. Route 51
U.S. Route 51 is a north–south United States highway that runs for 1,286 miles from the western suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana to within of the Wisconsin-Michigan border. Much of the highway in Illinois and southern Wisconsin runs parallel to or overlaps Interstate 39...
(normally called U.S. Highway 51, Highway 51 or US 51) runs north–south down the central part of the state. It enters from 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,...
at Beloit, and runs north to its northern terminus in Hurley where it junctions with US 2
U.S. Route 2 in Wisconsin
US Highway 2 is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System that runs from Everett, Washington, to St. Ignace, Michigan. The highway enters runs east–west across the northwestern part of the state and re-enters the state in the northeast part. It runs from the Richard I...
.
Route description
From Beloit, US 51 passes through JanesvilleJanesville, 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 Stoughton
Stoughton, Wisconsin
Stoughton is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States and is a neighbor of Madison. It straddles the Yahara River about 20 miles southeast of the capital, Madison. Stoughton is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, then passes through the east side of Madison as a side route paralleling Interstate 39
Interstate 39
Interstate 39 is a highway in the midwestern United States. I-39 runs from Normal, Illinois at Interstate 55 to Highway 29 in Rothschild, Wisconsin, approximately six miles south of Wausau. I-39 was designed to replace US Highway 51, which in the early 1980s was one of the busiest two-lane...
and Interstate 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...
on the west side. North of Madison, US 51 parallels the interstate on the east side passing through De Forest
De Forest, Wisconsin
DeForest, originally part of the town of Windsor, is a village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Yahara River. The population was 7,368 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Name:...
and Portage
Portage, Wisconsin
Portage is a city in and the county seat of Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 10,662 at the 2010 census making it the largest city in Columbia County...
. The route joins I-39 north of Portage. They stay joined until I-39 ends at WIS 29. Along the way, the route bypasses the small communities of Endeavor, Packwaukee, Westfield, Coloma, Hancock, Plainfield, Plover, and Whiting prior to arriving at Stevens Point
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Stevens Point is the county seat of Portage County, Wisconsin, United States. Located in the central part of the state, it is the largest city in the county, with a population of 24,551 at the 2000 census...
. Proceeding north from Stevens Point, the highway bypasses Knowlton, Mosinee, and Rothschild where I-39 terminates at WIS 29 East interchange. US 51 continues on with WIS 29 for 5 miles (8 km) bypassing Schofield, then proceeding into Wausau
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people...
where WIS 29 splits to the west. US 51 continues as a freeway to Merrill
Merrill, Wisconsin
Merrill is a city in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 10,728 at the 2010 census. The city is located to the south of and adjacent to the Town of Merrill....
County Trunk Highways (Wisconsin)
County Trunk Highways are a system of highways maintained at the county level or below in the US state of Wisconsin. Every county maintains its own County Trunk Highway system....
, CTH NN
County Trunk Highways (Wisconsin)
County Trunk Highways are a system of highways maintained at the county level or below in the US state of Wisconsin. Every county maintains its own County Trunk Highway system....
, Sherman St, WIS 52, and Bridge St interchanges; and constructed a free-flow interchange for WIS 29 West. US 51 exists as an expressway from CTH K
County Trunk Highways (Wisconsin)
County Trunk Highways are a system of highways maintained at the county level or below in the US state of Wisconsin. Every county maintains its own County Trunk Highway system....
on the north side of Merrill further north to CTH S
County Trunk Highways (Wisconsin)
County Trunk Highways are a system of highways maintained at the county level or below in the US state of Wisconsin. Every county maintains its own County Trunk Highway system....
south of Tomahawk with 6 grade-level intersections. CTH S begins another stretch of Freeway with 4 grade-separated interchanges before the highway becomes a two-lane road just north of US 8 at the Oneida County
Oneida County, Wisconsin
Oneida County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 36,776. Its county seat is Rhinelander.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,236 square miles , of which 1,124 square miles is land and 111 square...
line.
The highway passes through Minocqua
Minocqua, Wisconsin
Minocqua is a town in north-western Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,385 at the 2010 census. The census-designated place of Minocqua is located in the town. The unincorporated community of Rantz is also located in the town. Minocqua is commonly referred to as "The...
, Manitowish Waters
Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin
Manitowish Waters is a town in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 646 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Manitowish Waters is located in the town.-Tourism:The town is best known for its chain of lakes...
, and Mercer
Mercer, Wisconsin
Mercer is a town in southern Iron County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,732 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Mercer and the unincorporated communities of Carter and Manitowish are located within the town....
on its northwest trek toward Hurley and its terminus — at its junction with US 2.
History
Prior to 1926, what is now US 51 was State Trunk Highway 10.US 51 was upgraded to a full freeway over a period of 25 years from Merrill to Portage. The freeway continues around Portage to the West as I-39 (originally as WIS 78) to connect with I-90 and I-94 while US 51 continues along surface roads into and through Portage. In the 1990s, US 51 was designated as I-39 from its junction with WIS 29 eastbound in Wausau to where it left the freeway at Exit 92 in Portage. US 51 remained cosigned with I-39 along this entire stretch of road. Further expansion of the highway northward took place in 2000 when the highway was upgraded to an expressway up to US 8.
The Wisconsin mileage of US 51 is designated by the state as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
Exit list
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 begins south of this point and follows  South |
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| Marathon Marathon County, Wisconsin Marathon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is part of the Wausau, WI, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 134,063. Its county seat is Wausau.-Geography:... |
Rib Mountain Rib Mountain, Wisconsin Rib Mountain is a town in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,556 at the 2000 census. Rib Mountain is part of the Wausau Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is a suburb of Wausau and part of the Wausau Metropolitan Area... |
187 |   WIS 29 East - WestonWeston, Wisconsin Weston is a village in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Wausau, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,868 at the 2010 census.- History :... , Green Bay Green Bay, Wisconsin Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,... |
For exits south of this point see Interstate 39 Interstate 39 Interstate 39 is a highway in the midwestern United States. I-39 runs from Normal, Illinois at Interstate 55 to Highway 29 in Rothschild, Wisconsin, approximately six miles south of Wausau. I-39 was designed to replace US Highway 51, which in the early 1980s was one of the busiest two-lane... .  follow North |
|
| 188 |  CTH N - Rib Mountain Dr |
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| 190 |  CTH NN - North Mountain Rd |
. | |||
| Wausau Wausau, Wisconsin Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people... |
191A | WIS 29 West - Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls |
|||
| 191B | Sherman Street | Northbound exit; Southbound entrance only. | |||
| 192 |  Stewart Ave |
. WIS 29 follow South |
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| 193 | Bridge St | ||||
| 194 |     Business US 51, CTH U, CTH K - Wausau |
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| Brokaw Brokaw, Wisconsin Brokaw is a village in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Wausau, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 107 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Brokaw is located at .... |
197 |  CTH WW - Brokaw |
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| Lincoln Lincoln County, Wisconsin Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 29,641. Its county seat is Merrill.-Geography:According to the U.S... |
Pine River Pine River, Wisconsin Pine River is a town in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,877 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Pine River is located in the town.-Geography:... |
205 |  CTH Q - MerrillMerrill, Wisconsin Merrill is a city in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 10,728 at the 2010 census. The city is located to the south of and adjacent to the Town of Merrill.... |
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| Merrill Merrill, Wisconsin Merrill is a city in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 10,728 at the 2010 census. The city is located to the south of and adjacent to the Town of Merrill.... |
208 |   - WIS 64, WIS 17 Merrill, AntigoAntigo, Wisconsin Antigo is a city in and the county seat of Langlade County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 8,560 at the 2000 census. Antigo is the center of a farming and lumbering district, and its manufactures consist principally of lumber, chairs, furniture, sashes, doors and blinds, hubs and... |
Rhinelander, Eagle River Eagle River, Wisconsin Eagle River is a city in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,443 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Vilas County. The city is known for being a popular "Northwoods" vacation town... use exit 208 |
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| 211 | CTH K - Merrill |
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| Town of Merrill Merrill (town), Wisconsin Merrill is a town in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,979 at the 2000 census. The City of Merrill is located to the south of and adjacent to the town... |
212.77 | – North Star Dr | at-grade intersection | ||
| 214.85 | Lincoln Dr | at-grade intersection | |||
| Irma Irma, Wisconsin Irma is an unincorporated community located in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. Irma is located on U.S. Route 51 north of Merrill, in the town of Birch. Irma has a post office with ZIP code 54442.... |
220.22 | – Nelson Dr | at-grade intersection | ||
| 221.24 | at-grade intersection | ||||
| 222.24 | at-grade intersection | ||||
| Skanawan Skanawan, Wisconsin Skanawan is a town in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 354 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.9 square miles , of which, 35.4 square miles of it is land and 0.5 square miles of it ... |
223.31 | Tamarack Ln | at-grade intersection | ||
| 225 |  CTH S - Tomahawk |
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| Tomahawk Tomahawk, Wisconsin Tomahawk is a city in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,346 at the 2010 census. The city is located to the northeast of the Town of Tomahawk and is not contiguous with it.-History:... |
229 |   WIS 86, CTH D - TomahawkTomahawk, Wisconsin Tomahawk is a city in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,346 at the 2010 census. The city is located to the northeast of the Town of Tomahawk and is not contiguous with it.-History:... |
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| 231 |  CTH A - Tomahawk |
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| Bradley Bradley, Wisconsin Bradley is a town in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,573 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Bradley and Heafford Junction are located in the town.-Geography:... |
234 |  US 8 - PrenticePrentice, Wisconsin Prentice is a village in Price County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 626. The village is located within the Town of Prentice.-Geography:... , Rhinelander Rhinelander, Wisconsin Rhinelander is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. Its population was 7,735 at the 2000 census.-Claim to fame:... |
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| End of Freeway - two-way traffic. |
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See also
- U.S. Route 151U.S. Route 151U.S. Route 151 is a U.S. Highway that runs through the states of Iowa and Wisconsin. The southern terminus for U.S. 151 is at a junction with Interstate 80 in Iowa County, Iowa, and its northern terminus is at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The route, from south to north follows a northeasterly path through...
, diagonal route that runs from Amana ColoniesAmana ColoniesThe Amana Colonies are a group of settlements of radical German Pietists in Iowa, USA, comprising seven villages. Calling themselves the Ebenezer Society or the Community of True Inspiration , they first settled in New York state near Buffalo in what is now the Town of West Seneca...
in IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
to Manitowoc - Interstate 39Interstate 39Interstate 39 is a highway in the midwestern United States. I-39 runs from Normal, Illinois at Interstate 55 to Highway 29 in Rothschild, Wisconsin, approximately six miles south of Wausau. I-39 was designed to replace US Highway 51, which in the early 1980s was one of the busiest two-lane...
, Cosigned from Wausau to Portage — also contains an Exit list which includes this portion.