.gif)
Highway 131 (Wisconsin)
Encyclopedia
State Trunk Highway 131 (also called Highway 131, STH 131 or WIS 131) is a 78.9 miles (127 km) state highway in the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
. The highway is located in Wisconsin's Driftless Area, and it passes through Crawford, Vernon
, Richland, and Monroe
counties. It runs from WIS 60 near Wauzeka
north to US Highway 12
(US 12) and WIS 16 in Tomah
. WIS 131 is maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
(WisDOT).
WIS 131 was designated in 1923 on a road between Ferryville
and Gays Mills
. It was realigned and several times in the next fifteen years, and it ultimately connected Wauzeka and Tomah in 1948. The highway was rerouted in northern Vernon County in the 1970s in expectation of a new dam on the Kickapoo River
; however, when the dam project stalled in 1975, part of the rerouting between Rockton
and Ontario
was put on hold as well. WisDOT consequently performed very little maintenance on this section of WIS 131 for two decades after the dam project stopped, and it fell into disrepair. The state ultimately rebuilt the highway in the early 2000s, and the refurbished highway opened in 2003.
for its entire length. The route generally passes through farmland or wooded areas, though it also enters several small towns. WIS 131 begins in Crawford County at a 3-way intersection with WIS 60 northeast of Wauzeka and north of the Wisconsin River
. The highway heads in a generally northward direction from the intersection toward Steuben
. WIS 131 begins to follow the Kickapoo River here, running within the river's deep river valley through Wilton
. The highway enters Steuben from the southeast and heads east as Farris Street toward another 3-way intersection with WIS 179. WIS 131 heads north from this intersection as Midway Street for about a block before turning east and leaving Steuben as Railroad Street. The highway turns north again outside of Steuben and passes through Barnum
, Petersburg
and Bell Center
before intersecting WIS 171 in Gays Mills. North of Gays Mills, WIS 131 heads north-northeast toward Soldiers Grove
. The route enters Soldiers Grove as Church Street before turning east onto Pine Street and intersecting US 61. WIS 131 becomes concurrent
with US 61 and heads north into Vernon County toward Readstown
. The concurrency between WIS 131 and US 61 is part of the National Highway System
; this portion of WIS 131 and its short concurrency with US 14 are the only parts of the highway which are part of the NHS. WIS 131 and US 61 enter Readstown as Soldiers Grove Road and meet US 14
at a three-way intersection, where WIS 131 leaves US 61 and follows US 14 east for 0.4 mile (0.643736 km). WIS 131 then leaves Readstown to the north as 4th Street. Outside of Readstown, WIS 131 cuts east and passes through the community of Kickapoo Center
before turning back north toward Viola
. The highway enters Viola from the southwest as Commercial Street, passes Kickapoo High School
and briefly becomes concurrent with WIS 56. WIS 131 enters northwest Richland County while in Viola, and it remains in the county for a short distance northward.
After it returns to Vernon County, WIS 131 heads north toward La Farge
. The highway enters La Farge from the south as State Street and follows WIS 82 west for four blocks before turning north and leaving the village as Mill Street. The road passes through the Kickapoo Valley Reserve north of La Farge and remains in the reserve for most of its length through Ontario. WIS 131 runs through unincorporated Rockton and bypasses Wildcat Mountain State Park
to the west before entering the village of Ontario. The road crosses the Kickapoo River seven times on the 7.3 miles (11.7 km) between Rockton and Ontario. In Ontario, WIS 131 meets WIS 33 and follows the route east briefly before turning north and entering Monroe County. The highway heads north into Wilton
, where it becomes concurrent with WIS 71. WIS 131 follows WIS 71 northeast out of Wilton as Walker Street, and the two highways are concurrent for 3.4 miles (5.5 km). The two highways parallel the Elroy-Sparta State Trail
for most of their concurrency, and the trail crosses over the roads before they separate at a 3-way intersection northeast of Wilton. WIS 131 heads due north from this intersection toward Tomah. Between Wilton and Tomah, WIS 131 is designated as a Long Truck Route by WisDOT; trucks are not subject to weight or length restrictions on this section of the highway. The highway intersects with Interstate 90
(I-90) in south Tomah and enters the city as Superior Avenue. This section of WIS 131 is the busiest of its entire route; according to WisDOT, the average daily traffic along this portion in 2006 was 7200 vehicles. WIS 131 terminates at a four-way intersection with US 12 and WIS 16 in southern Tomah; the road continues northward as US 12.
In the 1970s, the state government planned to dam the Kickapoo River between La Farge and Ontario. As WIS 131 crossed the river eleven times between these towns, the state had to relocate the highway as well. The first section of WIS 131 to be moved, between Ontario and Rockton, was realigned away from the river onto a route built to the east between 1978 and 1981. The original section of the highway was abandoned so the dam could flood the area. This section was later turned into a recreational trail
in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. The portion of WIS 131 between Rockton and Ontario was supposed to be moved east as well; the new highway would run north past Rockton to a realigned WIS 33, which it would follow into Ontario. The state built the first half-mile of this new route, but construction stopped on the new highway after the dam project was suspended after a cost-benefit analysis. The dam project ultimately failed, and the community did not resolve several land ownership issues until 2000. This pushed back any plans to resolve the relocation of WIS 131, and the road between Rockton and Ontario consequently received little to no maintenance during the intervening period. The state first planned to complete the proposed relocation of the highway, but residents and environmentalists opposed this plan, and it eventually fell through. The state then planned a $20 million project to rebuild the existing stretch of WIS 131 instead; plans for this project were finalized in January 2000. Environmentalists tried to stop this plan as well, and the Kickapoo Valley Stewardship Alliance sued WisDOT, claiming it had violated the Water Resources Development Act of 1996
and the Transportation Act of 1966. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin struck down the lawsuit, and construction continued on the road. The improved section of WIS 131 was completed and dedicated in August 2003.
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Junction
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=4|Crawford
|Wauzeka
|0.0
|
|
|-
|Steuben
|7.1
|
|
|-
|Gays Mills
|19.3
|
|
|-
|Soldiers Grove
|27.0
|
|South end of US 61 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=3|Vernon
|rowspan=2|Readstown
|31.1
|
|North end of US 61 concurrency; west end of US 14 concurrency
|-
|31.5
|
|East end of US 14 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=2|Viola
|38.9
|
|West end of WIS 56 concurrency
|-
|Richland
|39.2
|
|East end of WIS 56 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=4|Vernon
|rowspan=2|La Farge
|45.2
|
|East end of WIS 82 concurrency
|-
|45.4
|
|West end of WIS 82 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=2|Ontario
|58.1
|
|West end of WIS 33 concurrency
|-
|58.2
|
|East end of WIS 33 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=4|Monroe
|rowspan=2|Wilton
|66.0
|
|West end of WIS 71 concurrency
|-
|69.4
|
|East end of WIS 71 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=2|Tomah
|78.3
|
|
|-
|78.9
|
|
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...
. The highway is located in Wisconsin's Driftless Area, and it passes through Crawford, Vernon
Vernon County, Wisconsin
Vernon County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 29,324. Its county seat is Viroqua.-History:...
, Richland, and Monroe
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...
counties. It runs from WIS 60 near Wauzeka
Wauzeka, Wisconsin
Wauzeka is a village in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 768 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Wauzeka.-Geography:Wauzeka is located at ....
north to US Highway 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...
(US 12) and WIS 16 in 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:...
. WIS 131 is maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, abbreviated as WisDOT, is a governmental agency of the U.S. state of Wisconsin responsible for planning, building and maintaining the state's highways...
(WisDOT).
WIS 131 was designated in 1923 on a road between Ferryville
Ferryville, Wisconsin
Ferryville is a village in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 174 at the 2000 census. It is located on Wisconsin Highway 35 along the Great River Road.-Geography:Ferryville is located at ....
and Gays Mills
Gays Mills, Wisconsin
Gays Mills is a village in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 625 at the 2000 census.- History :In 1847 James B. Gay, a native of Indiana, built a dam and a sawmill on the Kickapoo River, which proved to be a flourishing success. When his health started to fail, James...
. It was realigned and several times in the next fifteen years, and it ultimately connected Wauzeka and Tomah in 1948. The highway was rerouted in northern Vernon County in the 1970s in expectation of a new dam on the Kickapoo River
Kickapoo River
The Kickapoo River is a tributary of the Wisconsin River in the state of Wisconsin, United States. It is named for the Kickapoo Indians who occupied Wisconsin before the influx of white settlers in the early 19th century.-Watershed:...
; however, when the dam project stalled in 1975, part of the rerouting between Rockton
Rockton, Wisconsin
Rockton is an unincorporated community in Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States in the town of Whitestown. It is located on the Kickapoo River and is served by Wisconsin Highway 131. Rockton is south of Ontario and north of La Farge; these are the closest villages to the community....
and Ontario
Ontario, Wisconsin
Ontario is a village in Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 476 at the 2000 census.-Attractions:* Wildcat Mountain State Park is located near Ontario.The Kickapoo River is used for kayaking and canoeing.-Geography:...
was put on hold as well. WisDOT consequently performed very little maintenance on this section of WIS 131 for two decades after the dam project stopped, and it fell into disrepair. The state ultimately rebuilt the highway in the early 2000s, and the refurbished highway opened in 2003.
Route description
WIS 131 runs through hilly, rural terrain characteristic of the Driftless Area and Western UplandWestern Upland
The Western Upland is a geographical region covering much of the western half of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It stretches from southern Polk County, Wisconsin in the north to the state border with Illinois in the south, and from Rock County in the east to the Mississippi River in the west.The...
for its entire length. The route generally passes through farmland or wooded areas, though it also enters several small towns. WIS 131 begins in Crawford County at a 3-way intersection with WIS 60 northeast of Wauzeka and north of the Wisconsin River
Wisconsin River
-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...
. The highway heads in a generally northward direction from the intersection toward Steuben
Steuben, Wisconsin
Steuben is a village in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 177 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Steuben is located at ....
. WIS 131 begins to follow the Kickapoo River here, running within the river's deep river valley through Wilton
Wilton, Wisconsin
Wilton is a village in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 519 at the 2000 census. The village is located partially within the Town of Wilton and partially within the Town of Wellington.-Geography:...
. The highway enters Steuben from the southeast and heads east as Farris Street toward another 3-way intersection with WIS 179. WIS 131 heads north from this intersection as Midway Street for about a block before turning east and leaving Steuben as Railroad Street. The highway turns north again outside of Steuben and passes through Barnum
Barnum, Wisconsin
Barnum is an unincorporated community located in the town of Haney, in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. Barnum is located on the Kickapoo River north of Steuben and is served by Wisconsin Highway 131....
, Petersburg
Petersburg, Wisconsin
Petersburg is an unincorporated community located in the town of Haney in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. Petersburg is located on the Kickapoo River south of Bell Center and is served by Wisconsin Highway 131....
and Bell Center
Bell Center, Wisconsin
Bell Center is a village in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 116 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bell Center is located at ....
before intersecting WIS 171 in Gays Mills. North of Gays Mills, WIS 131 heads north-northeast toward Soldiers Grove
Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin
Soldiers Grove is a village located alongside the Kickapoo River in Crawford County, Wisconsin, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 653.-Claim to fame:...
. The route enters Soldiers Grove as Church Street before turning east onto Pine Street and intersecting US 61. WIS 131 becomes concurrent
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 US 61 and heads north into Vernon County toward Readstown
Readstown, Wisconsin
Readstown is a village in Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 395 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Readstown is located at ....
. The concurrency between WIS 131 and US 61 is part of the National Highway System
National Highway System (United States)
The National Highway System is a network of strategic highways within the United States, including the Interstate Highway System and other roads serving major airports, ports, rail or truck terminals, railway stations, pipeline terminals and other strategic transport facilities.Individual states...
; this portion of WIS 131 and its short concurrency with US 14 are the only parts of the highway which are part of the NHS. WIS 131 and US 61 enter Readstown as Soldiers Grove Road and meet 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...
at a three-way intersection, where WIS 131 leaves US 61 and follows US 14 east for 0.4 mile (0.643736 km). WIS 131 then leaves Readstown to the north as 4th Street. Outside of Readstown, WIS 131 cuts east and passes through the community of Kickapoo Center
Kickapoo Center, Wisconsin
Kickapoo Center is an unincorporated community located in the town of Kickapoo, Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. Kickapoo Center is located on Wisconsin Highway 131 near the Kickapoo River, south-southwest of Viola.-History:...
before turning back north toward Viola
Viola, Wisconsin
Viola is a village in Richland and Vernon Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, United States. The population was 667 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Viola is located at ....
. The highway enters Viola from the southwest as Commercial Street, passes Kickapoo High School
Kickapoo High School (Viola, Wisconsin)
Kickapoo High School is a high school located in Viola, Wisconsin, United States. It serves grades 6-12 and is part of the Kickapoo Area School District. The high school has 242 students; its student to teacher ratio is 12:1. In 2007, Kickapoo High School was awarded the U.S...
and briefly becomes concurrent with WIS 56. WIS 131 enters northwest Richland County while in Viola, and it remains in the county for a short distance northward.
After it returns to Vernon County, WIS 131 heads north toward La Farge
La Farge, Wisconsin
La Farge is a village along the Kickapoo River in Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 775 at the 2000 census. The residential community of Dreamtime Village is located near LaFarge.-Transportation:...
. The highway enters La Farge from the south as State Street and follows WIS 82 west for four blocks before turning north and leaving the village as Mill Street. The road passes through the Kickapoo Valley Reserve north of La Farge and remains in the reserve for most of its length through Ontario. WIS 131 runs through unincorporated Rockton and bypasses Wildcat Mountain State Park
Wildcat Mountain State Park
Wildcat Mountain State Park is a state park in Vernon County, Wisconsin in the United States. The park is on the Kickapoo River in Wisconsin's Driftless Area. Sandstone bluffs topped with limestone, two of which are Wildcat Mountain and Mount Pisgah, provide views over the narrow valley of the...
to the west before entering the village of Ontario. The road crosses the Kickapoo River seven times on the 7.3 miles (11.7 km) between Rockton and Ontario. In Ontario, WIS 131 meets WIS 33 and follows the route east briefly before turning north and entering Monroe County. The highway heads north into Wilton
Wilton, Wisconsin
Wilton is a village in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 519 at the 2000 census. The village is located partially within the Town of Wilton and partially within the Town of Wellington.-Geography:...
, where it becomes concurrent with WIS 71. WIS 131 follows WIS 71 northeast out of Wilton as Walker Street, and the two highways are concurrent for 3.4 miles (5.5 km). The two highways parallel the Elroy-Sparta State Trail
Elroy-Sparta State Trail
The Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail is a rail trail between Elroy and Sparta, Wisconsin.It is one of four connecting bike trails in west-central Wisconsin that spans approximately one-third of the state. The trail is known for its rural scenery and three tunnels...
for most of their concurrency, and the trail crosses over the roads before they separate at a 3-way intersection northeast of Wilton. WIS 131 heads due north from this intersection toward Tomah. Between Wilton and Tomah, WIS 131 is designated as a Long Truck Route by WisDOT; trucks are not subject to weight or length restrictions on this section of the highway. The highway intersects with Interstate 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:...
(I-90) in south Tomah and enters the city as Superior Avenue. This section of WIS 131 is the busiest of its entire route; according to WisDOT, the average daily traffic along this portion in 2006 was 7200 vehicles. WIS 131 terminates at a four-way intersection with US 12 and WIS 16 in southern Tomah; the road continues northward as US 12.
History
WIS 131 was first designated between 1924 and 1927 on a route from WIS 35 near Ferryville to WIS 11 in Gays Mills. When WIS 11 was assigned to a different route before 1927, WIS 131 took on its route from Gays Mills north to WIS 27 in Soldiers Grove. WIS 131 was extended further northward to La Farge in 1939 after a county highway was transferred to state control. In 1947, WisDOT switched the designations of WIS 131 and WIS 171 south and west of Gays Mills; WIS 131 was designated between Gays Mills and Wauzeka, and its original route between Ferryville and Gays Mills became WIS 171. WIS 131 was extended farther north to its current terminus in Tomah in 1948.Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. The portion of WIS 131 between Rockton and Ontario was supposed to be moved east as well; the new highway would run north past Rockton to a realigned WIS 33, which it would follow into Ontario. The state built the first half-mile of this new route, but construction stopped on the new highway after the dam project was suspended after a cost-benefit analysis. The dam project ultimately failed, and the community did not resolve several land ownership issues until 2000. This pushed back any plans to resolve the relocation of WIS 131, and the road between Rockton and Ontario consequently received little to no maintenance during the intervening period. The state first planned to complete the proposed relocation of the highway, but residents and environmentalists opposed this plan, and it eventually fell through. The state then planned a $20 million project to rebuild the existing stretch of WIS 131 instead; plans for this project were finalized in January 2000. Environmentalists tried to stop this plan as well, and the Kickapoo Valley Stewardship Alliance sued WisDOT, claiming it had violated the Water Resources Development Act of 1996
Water Resources Development Act of 1996
The Water Resources Development Act of 1996 is part of , was enacted by Congress of the United States on October 12, 1996.. Most of the provisions of WRDA 1996 are administered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers....
and the Transportation Act of 1966. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin struck down the lawsuit, and construction continued on the road. The improved section of WIS 131 was completed and dedicated in August 2003.
Major intersections
{| class=wikitable!County
!Location
!Mile
!Junction
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=4|Crawford
|Wauzeka
Wauzeka, Wisconsin
Wauzeka is a village in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 768 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Wauzeka.-Geography:Wauzeka is located at ....
|0.0
|
|
|-
|Steuben
Steuben, Wisconsin
Steuben is a village in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 177 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Steuben is located at ....
|7.1
|
|
|-
|Gays Mills
Gays Mills, Wisconsin
Gays Mills is a village in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 625 at the 2000 census.- History :In 1847 James B. Gay, a native of Indiana, built a dam and a sawmill on the Kickapoo River, which proved to be a flourishing success. When his health started to fail, James...
|19.3
|
|
|-
|Soldiers Grove
Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin
Soldiers Grove is a village located alongside the Kickapoo River in Crawford County, Wisconsin, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 653.-Claim to fame:...
|27.0
|
|South end of US 61 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=3|Vernon
Vernon County, Wisconsin
Vernon County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 29,324. Its county seat is Viroqua.-History:...
|rowspan=2|Readstown
Readstown, Wisconsin
Readstown is a village in Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 395 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Readstown is located at ....
|31.1
|
|North end of US 61 concurrency; west end of US 14 concurrency
|-
|31.5
|
|East end of US 14 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=2|Viola
Viola, Wisconsin
Viola is a village in Richland and Vernon Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, United States. The population was 667 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Viola is located at ....
|38.9
|
|West end of WIS 56 concurrency
|-
|Richland
|39.2
|
|East end of WIS 56 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=4|Vernon
|rowspan=2|La Farge
La Farge, Wisconsin
La Farge is a village along the Kickapoo River in Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 775 at the 2000 census. The residential community of Dreamtime Village is located near LaFarge.-Transportation:...
|45.2
|
|East end of WIS 82 concurrency
|-
|45.4
|
|West end of WIS 82 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=2|Ontario
Ontario, Wisconsin
Ontario is a village in Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 476 at the 2000 census.-Attractions:* Wildcat Mountain State Park is located near Ontario.The Kickapoo River is used for kayaking and canoeing.-Geography:...
|58.1
|
|West end of WIS 33 concurrency
|-
|58.2
|
|East end of WIS 33 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=4|Monroe
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...
|rowspan=2|Wilton
Wilton, Wisconsin
Wilton is a village in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 519 at the 2000 census. The village is located partially within the Town of Wilton and partially within the Town of Wellington.-Geography:...
|66.0
|
|West end of WIS 71 concurrency
|-
|69.4
|
|East end of WIS 71 concurrency
|-
|rowspan=2|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:...
|78.3
|
|
|-
|78.9
|
|