Corridor Study, Environmental Documentation, and Freeway Design – STH 29

Chippewa and Clark Counties, Wisconsin

Mead & Hunt’s responsibilities for this project consisted of writing Location Evaluation and Recommendation reports (LE&R), preparing environmental documents, public involvement exhibits, preliminary and final construction plans, and performing construction inspection.  The 48-mile project was divided into three sections so that sufficient time could be allocated to address each section’s unique characteristics and needs.  Recommended improvements involved construction of a four-lane divided roadway within the existing right-of-way corridor.

A extensive corridor study investigated a number of design alternatives.  Our team also conducted a pavement design report which included such innovations as the use of an open graded base course, recycled Portland cement concrete pavement aggregate, and a two-foot extension of the right lane into the shoulder region as an encroachment lane. 

Type II Environmental Assessment was prepared for each of the three sections and approved as a finding of no significant impacts.  Public involvement played a major role in determining the recommended alternative.  The public involvement plan included preparation of displays and exhibits for public informational meetings and a quarterly newsletter.

Extensive agency coordination provided for timely reviews and agency concurrence.  Mead & Hunt was active in the initial agency scoping meeting and prepared a thorough agency letter and project information package for each of the project’s three sections.

Mead & Hunt prepared plans for eight box culverts, 12 bridges, and 15 miles of four-lane highway, including two interchanges.