Components - Alternate route designations

Alternate route designations are currently used in the greater Milwaukee and Madison areas.

Madison-area Blue Route

The Blue Route is an alternate route signing concept for when a major incident on the interstate requires a lengthy closure or results in major delays.

When a major incident occurs on I-39/90/94 around Madison, electronic message signs will instruct interstate travelers to follow the Blue Route. Beginning at the next exit, static Blue Route signs have been installed that lead drivers off the interstate and along the Blue Route.

The electronic signs can be activated remotely, allowing the State Patrol and other responding agencies to better focus their resources on the critical incident scene.

The Blue Route uses US 51 (Stoughton Road) from US 12/18 (the Madison Beltline) at the south to its intersection with I-39/90/94 at the north.

I-39/90/94 alternate route study in Dane, Rock and Jefferson counties

WisDOT's Southwest Region's alternate route study is examining the freeway corridors in the Madison area to select alternate routes in the event of a crash or other emergency. These routes will be used to detour motorists and help them avoid major delays.

The study involves input from WisDOT, State Patrol, county, city, regional and private sector representatives who will develop an alternate route guide that best meets the needs of travelers.

The study corridors include I-94 between Madison and Milwaukee, and I-39/90 between Madison and Janesville.