Let's Connect Wisconsin!
Planning NOW for the future of transportation in Wisconsin
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Let's Connect Wisconsin!
Planning NOW for the future
of transportation in Wisconsin
Share Your
Comment
Comment
Take Our
Survey
Survey
Find Out
More
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Welcome to
Connect 2050
What do you want our transportation system to look like in 2050?
What should we do between now and then to get there?
Wisconsin‘s transportation policy plan, Connect 2050, will answer those questions and many more.
This long-range plan will guide the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s decision-making about changes to and investments in our statewide system for the next approximately 30 years.
The plan will impact all types of transportation – from roads to ports to sidewalks – across our entire state.
Setting clear goals now is important as we figure out how best to support our economy, environment, and safe, efficient travel for everyone well into the future.
Welcome to
Connect 2050
What do you want our transportation system to look like in 2050?
What should we do between now and then to get there?
Wisconsin‘s transportation policy plan, Connect 2050, will answer those questions and many more.
This long-range plan will guide the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s decision-making about changes to and investments in our statewide system for the next roughly 30 years.
The plan will impact all types of transportation – from roads to ports to sidewalks – across our entire state.
Setting clear goals now is important as we figure out how best to support our economy, environment, and safe, efficient travel for everyone well into the future.
Unlike a transportation project that is happening now or in the near future, a long-range plan guides decisions about many different projects that will be completed – and funded – years from now.
Why do you need my input?
We know that the very people who use the system have valuable insights that can help us prioritize needs.
We need honest, representative feedback to build a shared vision for Wisconsin’s transportation future.
This is your opportunity to share your opinions and inform the use of future transportation dollars.
Do you get to work by your vehicle, a bus, your feet or bike?
Does your job involve transporting people or goods?
Are you simply an interested or concerned Wisconsinite?
We want to hear from you!
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So, what's our transportation system like now?
WisDOT plans, builds, maintains, or financially supports all these types of transportation, which make up Wisconsin's statewide network.
Airports
Ports, Harbors and Ferry
Highways and Bridges
Bicycles and Pedestrians
Passenger Rail
Freight Rail
Transit
Intercity Passenger Bus
Airports
15 million
The number of estimated passengers and local businesses that Wisconsin’s airports expect to serve annually by 2030.
Ports, Harbors and Ferry
$3 Billion
The approximate value of the more than 27 million tons of cargo Wisconsin’s commercial ports process annually.
State Highways
60%
The annual percentage of total miles traveled by vehicles on Wisconsin’s state highways, which make up only 10% of our entire roadway network.
Bicycles and Pedestrians
10%
The percentage of total passenger trips in 2017 for which Wisconsinites biked or walked.
Passenger Rail
875,000
The number of people that Amtrak’s Hiawatha line, the Midwest’s busiest passenger rail service, transported in 2019 between Milwaukee and Chicago.
Freight Rail
$150 Billion
The approximate value of the 190 million tons of cargo that 11 Wisconsin freight rail companies moved in 2017.
Our journey is just beginning!
We will be collecting input and developing the Connect 2050 plan through 2021.
During that time, we will provide continuous and varied ways for you to participate.
Subscribe for updates, check back here often, or follow us online to stay connected!
View the Public Involvement Plan
Note: The Connect 2050 public involvement process that the Public Involvement Plan originally outlined has been updated to reflect the impacts of the COVID-19 virus. All proposed pop-up events have been cancelled; however, WisDOT will conduct virtual or in-person public meetings in accordance with state and local public health guidelines for group gatherings during this pandemic.
What are our overall goals?
Economic Vitality
Maintain and improve the state’s transportation system so it is responsive to global and regional economic needs and changing conditions.
Safety and Security
Create a system that is safe for all users, and agile in preventing, preparing for, and coordinating responses to any incident, whether natural or the result of human activity.
Quality of Life and Natural Environment
Implement and manage a system that balances transportation needs with the natural environment and resource conservation.
System Integration and Connectivity
Bring modes of transportation together to provide a properly integrated system.
System Management
Utilize cost-effective preservation and maintenance techniques to maximize transportation investments.
Trends that affect transportation
Our communities and the way we move around and among them are changing all the time.
Connect 2050 will factor how some trends or issues could affect transportation demand and resources.
The six trends below will shape Connect 2050 and influence decisions about transportation investments.
Population
Safety
Travel Patterns
Economic Activity
Energy and Environment
Automated and Connected Vehicles
Population
Travel Patterns
Safety
Economic Activity
Energy and Environment
Automated and Connected Vehicles
Resources
Connect 2050 toolkit
Help us drive participation! We encourage you to download the following materials so you can share information about the Connect 2050 plan. These resources are helpful for those who do not have access to the internet.
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Connect 2050 Toolkit
Select an action above
View, share, download or print the following Connect 2050 project materials:
- Connect 2050 overview PowerPoint presentation file
- Connect 2050 plan overview and trends factsheets
- Connect 2050 social media sharing resources
- Connect 2050 survey (long and short versions) and comment form, returnable by U.S. mail or email)
Go to Files
Posted: Sept. 22, 2020
View, share, download or print the following Connect 2050 project materials:
- Plan overview and trend factsheets
- Connect 2050 survey (long and short versions) and comment form, returnable by U.S. mail or email)
go to files
Posted: Sept. 22, 2020
PowerPoint presentation (with talking points)
- Interested in talking to your board, constituents or neighbors about Connect 2050? This presentation provides a brief overview of the plan and how to participate
- Connect 2050 survey (long and short versions) and comment form, returnable by U.S. mail or email)
Go to Files
Posted: Sept. 22, 2020
We have suggested posts for ...
- Community members
- Business owners and representatives
- Industry stakeholders
... to use on the following platforms:
Go to Files
Posted: Sept. 22, 2020
Library of plans
Connect 2050 is the statewide, comprehensive, long-term plan that identifies what we want to accomplish.
Other types of plans that WisDOT develops identify how we will meet the goals and implement the policies outlined in the Connect 2050 plan.
We develop or collaborate with our transportation partners to develop the following four types of plans:
Each type of plan has a specific purpose, but they all work together to shape Wisconsin’s entire transportation system.
see regions map
A Note about the Plans
The Regional and Local Plans links below are categorized by WisDOT's five regions: North Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest.
The links will take you to the WisDOT website, where you can view the projects and studies in the listed region's counties and communities.
modal plans
State Highway Plan 2020
Wisconsin State Airport System Plan 2030
Wisconsin Bicycle Transportation Plan 2020
Wisconsin Pedestrian Policy Plan 2020
Wisconsin Rail Plan 2030
Operational plans
Transportation Asset Management Plan
Strategic Highway Safety Plan
State Freight Plan 2018
Regional and local plans
North Central Region
Northeast Region
Northwest Region
Southeast Region
Southwest Region
Long-range plan
Connections 2030
