NE Wisconsin receives $12.5 million to improve I-43 rest areas

GREEN BAY, WI – (WGBW & WISS) –  The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) receives $12.5 million in federal grant money to upgrade the safety and modernize two safety I-43 rest areas between Green Bay and Manitowoc.

The project will reconstruct the 44-year-old rest areas: Rest Area 51 near Maribel and Rest Area 52 near Denmark. The buildings at each rest area would be razed and rebuilt. The project will modernize the pavement to accommodate increased traffic volume, add 72 more truck parking stalls across both facilities, and make them both fully ADA-compliant. Universal charging stations will also be added to the rest areas.   

Key public benefits from this project include:

• Addressing roadway deficiencies, including pavement deterioration, ramp shoulders, and beam guards;
• Significantly increasing commercial motor vehicle parking capacity by adding 72 commercial truck parking spaces;
• Increasing high mast lighting in commercial motor vehicle parking lot to enhance personal security for truck drivers;
• Modernizing the facilities and sites, including restroom facilities, ADA accessibility, and pedestrian access; and
• Adding an oversize-overweight staging area to support trucks hauling oversized load.

The funds for the I-43 rest areas come from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America program. It is part of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed into law by the Biden-Harris Administration. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D – Wisconsin) advocated for the funding request.

“I-43 is vital for our businesses to get their products on shelves and connects communities across Eastern Wisconsin,” said Sen. Baldwin in a press release. “After decades of heavy use, the outdated and deteriorating infrastructure isn’t up to par. That’s why I fought to secure this investment, reconstructing an important resource for truckers, helping ensure that goods get to market on time, and keeping Wisconsin drivers safe on our roads.”

Governor Tony Evers celebrated the funds with a press release.

“Thanks to Sen. Baldwin’s leadership, we were able to secure this critical investment to improve safety and accessibility in Northeast Wisconsin and support the trucking industry, which delivers the goods and services Wisconsinites depend on,” said Gov. Evers said.