More Than a Road: Jacobs' Highway Project is a Path to Progress in Wisconsin

The 11-mile STH 15 corridor, stretching from US 45 to Lily of the Valley Drive, is a vital regional route linking the Appleton metropolitan area with Greenville, Hortonville, New London and other communities in northeast Wisconsin. To meet rising traffic demands, address safety concerns and support future growth, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) turned to Jacobs to reimagine this critical corridor.

Jacobs led the preliminary design for the entire corridor and final design for the east segment. The project transformed a two-lane rural highway into a modern four-lane divided corridor, complete with a bypass to reduce congestion and improve travel times. Our design focused on improving horizontal and vertical alignments to meet current safety standards, while also enhancing intersections to better serve both local and through traffic. A key feature is the roundabout at the STH 15/CTH JJ intersection, which efficiently separates bypass traffic from vehicles entering Hortonville—improving traffic flow and reducing conflict points.

The east segment includes a multi-use trail along the south side of the highway, designed with significant separation from traffic and enhanced crossings at side roads. This trail connects residents to schools, parks, jobs and commercial areas, encouraging active transportation and reducing vehicle dependency.

Jacobs also addressed a critical at-grade railroad crossing by raising the elevation to improve visibility and drainage. Given the high volume of truck traffic, the design incorporated truck stopping lanes in both directions, allowing freight vehicles to safely wait for trains without disrupting traffic flow.

The improvements to STH 15 have delivered measurable benefits:

• Reduced congestion and improved travel times for commuters and freight.
• Enhanced safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
• Better access to community resources and recreational areas.
• Support for sustainable transportation through the multi-use trail.

These improvements not only upgraded corridor functionality but also enhanced quality of life for residents and visitors.

The STH 15 project was recognized as a state finalist in the Wisconsin American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Engineering Excellence Awards for its innovative design, community impact and engineering precision.

“Being named a state finalist is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the dedication our team brought to the STH 15 project,” says  Jacobs Roadway Design Lead and Milwaukee Office Lead Gary Ferguson. “At Jacobs, our infrastructure solutions are technically sound, innovative and deeply responsive to the communities we serve. This project has made a meaningful difference in northeast Wisconsin—enhancing safety, improving mobility, and strengthening connections between people, places and opportunities. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how thoughtful design can help communities thrive.”

Jacobs recently marked 50 years of service in Wisconsin, beginning in the 1970s with water quality projects and Milwaukee’s first Riverwalk design guidelines. Since then, Jacobs has remained a cornerstone of the community, delivering planning, engineering, operations and construction management services across transportation, water and environmental infrastructure. To date, the firm has supported delivery of more than $10 billion in award-winning critical infrastructure projects across Wisconsin.