


While several interchanges still required completion, the majority of I-39 was completed in the 1990's. Interstate highway already existed south of Portage from Madison to Beloit as I-90, and I-39 in Wisconsin was commissioned in 1992. This conversion took place from Portage, WI to north of Stevens Point near Knowlton. In Wisconsin, the conversion of Highway 51 to Interstate 39 took place over approximately 25 years. The second portion that was completed was the most southern portion from Rochelle to Bloomington, IL, in the late 80's. Government officials in Illinois began to request that an interstate replace portions of the old highway.Īccording to Wikipedia, the first part of I-39 that was completed was in northern Illinois in the early 1980's, from Rochelle, IL to Rockford, IL. Parts of the highway began to experience extremely high traffic during the 1960's in Illinois. Highway 51 was built in the 1920's and actually extends all the way from Laplace, Louisiana to Hurley, Wisconsin. Here are just a few of them from north to south: There are a number of things to do along this lovely and, nearly perfectly north-south road.

#ROAD CONDITIONS I39 ILLINOIS TV#
The small Wisconsin town gained national fame as the setting for Disney's hit TV show "Liv and Maddie"! You may have heard of Stevens Point before, especially if you're a fan of the Disney Channel. The northern end terminates near Wausau, Wisconsin, where it turns into U.S. Continuing on I-74 South will take you towards Indianapolis. Continuing on I-55 will take you to either Chicago or St. The southern end of the interstate ends in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, where it connects to both Interstate 55 and Interstate 74. From Madison, WI to Portage, WI, I-90, I-94 and I-39 all join together as a single interstate! It is right in the middle, in terms of length, between the longest and shortest interstates in the U.S.Īn interesting fact about part of I-39 is that it is one of a few instances in the United States where three major interstates run together. I-39 is the 35th longest interstate in the U.S. Bridges and overpasses can ice over very quickly causing extremely slippery conditions. It is a wonderful stretch of interstate that can be ventured across for a weekend trip.ĭo take precautions if you find yourself on the interstate during the winter time. Mead State Wildlife Area and south of Wausau. The road terminates just a little past Stevens Point, near the George W. The view and surrounding landscape have certainly changed from the flat land of central Illinois! The roadsides begin to have more trees as the interstate winds its way past the Wisconsin cities of Janesville and Madison.įurther north, I-39 passes through Stevens Point, Wisconsin, which has an elevation of 1,089 feet. Driving northward from here, you can see farms and farmland stretched out for miles and miles over the flat and mostly treeless land.Īs the interstate approaches the Illinois-Wisconsin border, the land starts to turn from flat to gently rolling hills. Although it isn't the longest interstate by far, or even the longest north-south interstate, it takes you through some incredibly diverse landscape over its slightly shorter run.Īt its southern end near Bloomington, the land is extraordinarily flat. Interstate 39 is a north-south interstate that runs from Bloomington, Illinois through Rockford, Illinois and Janesville, Wisconsin, and up to central Wisconsin.
