Highway 11 (Wisconsin)
Encyclopedia
State Trunk Highway 11 is a state highway running east–west across southern Wisconsin
. The highway connects Dubuque, Iowa
with the cities of Janesville
, Racine
and Elkhorn
. Most of the route is two-lane road with the exception of a freeway bypass of Monroe
, a multilane bypass of Janesville, a section where it is concurrent with I-39
and I-90
and urban multilane highway in the greater Racine area.
at the freeway carrying US 61 and US 151 and concurrent with WIS 35. WIS 35 turns south to Illinois
a half of a mile into the route as WIS 11 meanders to the east to Hazel Green
where it picks up WIS 80 north for 3 miles (4.8 km) before turning east again into Lafayette County
while WIS 80 continues north along the county line.. The highway passes through Benton
and Shullsburg
before reaching the WIS 23 southern terminus five miles (8 km) east of Shullsburg. WIS 11 then junctions with WIS 78 in Gratiot
and passes through South Wayne
two miles (3 km) west of the Green County
line.
Browntown
is the first community that WIS 11 passes through in Green County. WIS 11 then becomes a freeway and circles around Monroe to the north, picking up concurrency with WIS 81 east and Crossing WIS 69 and the terminus of WIS 59 while on the freeway segment. WIS 81 turns southeast toward Beloit
two miles (3 km) south of Brodhead
while WIS 11 passes through the city and turns east into Rock County
. The highway crosses WIS 213 in Orfordville
and passes through Footville
before beginning its southern bypass of Janesville. The bypass crosses US 51
and then joins I-39 and I-90 for 3 miles (4.8 km) back up north where it turns east toward US 14
and joins it concurrently - the two routes continuing east to Walworth County
.
Two miles into Walworth County, US 14 turns south to Darien
while WIS 11 heads east into Delavan
where it meets WIS 50. the highway heads northeast to Elkhorn
where it junctions with WIS 67 and the freeways of US 12
which it does not have direct access to, and I-43
. WIS 11 then heads east through Spring Prairie and into Racine County at Burlington
. Currently construction is underway on the western section of the Burlington Bypass that will carry WIS 11 around the south side of Burlington and bypassing the downtown area. The route will run cuncurrently with WIS 36 and WIS 83 in portions. Today in Burlington, the highway crosses or meets WIS 36, WIS 83 and WIS 142. WIS 11 passes through Union Grove and crosses US 45
then passes over I-94
and US 41
and into the greater Racine area - crossing WIS 31 in Sturtevant
and ending at WIS 32 in downtown Racine - just a half mile from the shores of Lake Michigan
.
to Gotham
, then to LaCrosse, and then to Superior
. The route that WIS 11 currently follows was previously designated WIS 20 from the Iowa state line to Burlington. The remaining route was not a part of the state highway system at the time.
WIS 11 previously ran through downtown Janesville. A southern bypass was constructed and opened to traffic on November 11, 2002. The former route was turned back to the city and county but not given any county route designations. The bypass consisted of a two lane road between the western end and CTH D, and four-lane roadway between CTH D and the interstates. section of WIS 11 between I-39/I-90 and US 51 was previously numbered as WIS 351.
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...
. The highway connects Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
with the cities of 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:...
, 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...
and 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...
. Most of the route is two-lane road with the exception of a freeway bypass of Monroe
Monroe, Wisconsin
Monroe, known as "the Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA", is a city in and the county seat of Green County, Wisconsin, United States. The population, was 10,843 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Monroe and partially in the Town of Clarno.-Geography:Monroe is located...
, a multilane bypass of Janesville, a section where it is concurrent with I-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 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...
and urban multilane highway in the greater Racine area.
Route description
WIS 11 begins in Grant CountyGrant County, Wisconsin
Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 49,597. Its county seat is Lancaster. Estimates for 2008 show a population of 49,238...
at the freeway carrying US 61 and US 151 and concurrent with WIS 35. WIS 35 turns south to 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,...
a half of a mile into the route as WIS 11 meanders to the east to Hazel Green
Hazel Green, Wisconsin
Hazel Green is a village in Grant and Lafayette Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,183 at the 2000 census. The village is located mostly within the Town of Hazel Green in Grant County; only a small portion extends into the Town of Benton in Lafayette...
where it picks up WIS 80 north for 3 miles (4.8 km) before turning east again into Lafayette County
Lafayette County, Wisconsin
Lafayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 16,137. Its county seat is Darlington.-Geography:According to the U.S...
while WIS 80 continues north along the county line.. The highway passes through Benton
Benton, Wisconsin
Benton is a village in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 976 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Benton.-History:...
and Shullsburg
Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Shullsburg is a city in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,246 at the 2000 census. The city is located within the Town of Shullsburg.-Geography:...
before reaching the WIS 23 southern terminus five miles (8 km) east of Shullsburg. WIS 11 then junctions with WIS 78 in Gratiot
Gratiot, Wisconsin
Gratiot is a village in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 252 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Gratiot.-Geography:Gratiot is located at ....
and passes through South Wayne
South Wayne, Wisconsin
South Wayne is a village in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 484 at the 2000 census.-Geography:South Wayne is located at ....
two miles (3 km) west of the Green County
Green County, Wisconsin
Green County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 33,647. Its county seat is Monroe.-Geography:According to the U.S...
line.
Browntown
Browntown, Wisconsin
Browntown is a village in Green County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 252 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Browntown is located at ....
is the first community that WIS 11 passes through in Green County. WIS 11 then becomes a freeway and circles around Monroe to the north, picking up concurrency with WIS 81 east and Crossing WIS 69 and the terminus of WIS 59 while on the freeway segment. WIS 81 turns southeast toward Beloit
Beloit, Wisconsin
Beloit is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, Beloit had a population of 36,966. The greater Beloit area is home to more than 91,000 residents.-Claim to fame:...
two miles (3 km) south of Brodhead
Brodhead, Wisconsin
Brodhead is a city in Green and Rock Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,180 at the 2000 census. In February 2000, the city annexed a portion of land from the Town of Spring Valley in Rock County.-History:...
while WIS 11 passes through the city and turns east into 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....
. The highway crosses WIS 213 in Orfordville
Orfordville, Wisconsin
Orfordville is a village in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States, at the intersection of Highway 11, Highway 213, and the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad. The population was 1,272 at the census, with an estimated population of 1,302 in 2003.-History:...
and passes through Footville
Footville, Wisconsin
Footville is a village in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 788 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Footville is located at ....
before beginning its southern bypass of Janesville. The bypass crosses US 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...
and then joins I-39 and I-90 for 3 miles (4.8 km) back up north where it turns east toward US 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...
and joins it concurrently - the two routes continuing east to 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...
.
Two miles into Walworth County, US 14 turns south to Darien
Darien, Wisconsin
Darien is a village in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. It is pronounced or . The population was 1,572 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Darien.-Geography:Darien is located at ....
while WIS 11 heads east into Delavan
Delavan, Wisconsin
Delavan is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 8,463 at the 2010 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Delavan.-Economy:Delavan is home to the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, and Andes Candies.-History:...
where it meets WIS 50. the highway heads northeast to 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...
where it junctions with WIS 67 and the freeways of US 12
U.S. Route 12 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 12 runs east–west across the western to southeast portions of the state...
which it does not have direct access to, and 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...
. WIS 11 then heads east through Spring Prairie and into Racine County at Burlington
Burlington, Wisconsin
Burlington is a city in Racine and Walworth counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, with the majority of the city located in Racine County. The population was 10,421 at the 2009 census.-History:...
. Currently construction is underway on the western section of the Burlington Bypass that will carry WIS 11 around the south side of Burlington and bypassing the downtown area. The route will run cuncurrently with WIS 36 and WIS 83 in portions. Today in Burlington, the highway crosses or meets WIS 36, WIS 83 and WIS 142. WIS 11 passes through Union Grove and crosses US 45
U.S. Route 45 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 45 runs north–south through the eastern and northern portions of the state.-Route description:...
then passes over 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 US 41
U.S. Route 41 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Highway 41 runs north–south the eastern side of the state. It enters from Illinois at Pleasant Prairie, and runs north to its northern terminus at the Michigan border at Marinette, WI.-Route description:US-41 is a freeway for nearly 70% of its route...
and into the greater Racine area - crossing WIS 31 in Sturtevant
Sturtevant, Wisconsin
Sturtevant is a village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 6599 at the 2009 census.Sturtevant celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007.-Geography:Sturtevant is located at ....
and ending at WIS 32 in downtown Racine - just a half mile from the shores of Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
.
History
The current Highway 11 is the second route to be known by that name. The first Highway 11 ran from Prairie du SacPrairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Prairie du Sac is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,231 at the 2000 census. The village is surrounded by the Town of Prairie du Sac, the Wisconsin River, and the village of Sauk City; together, Prairie du Sac and Sauk City are referred to as Sauk...
to Gotham
Gotham, Wisconsin
Gotham is an unincorporated census-designated place, in the town of Buena Vista, in Richland County, Wisconsin, United States. It located about an hour west of Madison, Wisconsin. It is located at the intersection of Wisconsin Highway 60 and U.S. Route 14. It is located just north of the Wisconsin...
, then to LaCrosse, and then to Superior
Superior, Wisconsin
Superior is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 26,960 at the 2010 census. Located at the junction of U.S. Highways 2 and 53, it is north of and adjacent to both the Village of Superior and the Town of Superior.Superior is at the western...
. The route that WIS 11 currently follows was previously designated WIS 20 from the Iowa state line to Burlington. The remaining route was not a part of the state highway system at the time.
WIS 11 previously ran through downtown Janesville. A southern bypass was constructed and opened to traffic on November 11, 2002. The former route was turned back to the city and county but not given any county route designations. The bypass consisted of a two lane road between the western end and CTH D, and four-lane roadway between CTH D and the interstates. section of WIS 11 between I-39/I-90 and US 51 was previously numbered as WIS 351.