U.S. Route 2 in northwestern Wisconsin is considered a lifeline by many in this corner of the State.

Wisconsin Highway 2 enters the State of Wisconsin via the Bong Bridge in Duluth, Minnesota.  The Bong Bridge has become even more important in recent weeks, since the Minnesota Department of Transportation decided to undertake gusset plate repairs to the nearly fifty year old bridge.

A significant amount of tourist traffic from Minnesota pours into Wisconsin via Route 2.  East of Superior, busy U.S. Highway is fed again by U.S. Highway 53.  Route 53 is a "Wisconsin Corridors 2020 Backbone Route" which runs north and south, connecting the Eau Claire/Rice Lake area with the northwest part of the state.  And Route 2 is also fed just west of Ashland, Wisconsin by northbound traffic from Wisconsin highway 63, which connects the border counties of Western Wisconsin with Bayfield County.

Much of U.S. Route 2 between Superior and the Apostle Islands area is two lane highway, interspersed with passing lanes.  While Wisconsin DOT keeps the artery in good condition, tourist and truck traffic has increased markedly during the past decade.

U.S. Route 2 goes beyond the Ashland/Washburn area, through Ashland, into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  A vitally important truck route, Route 2 plays a major role in bringing tourist traffic and goods to the Upper Peninsula.  Michigan communities and merchants are heavily reliant upon Route 2 for their survival.

It seems likely that Route 2 will need a major facelift in the coming decade.  More lanes, including passing lanes, are a definite need. 

I love the town of Superior, but I believe most Minnesota tourists who visit northwest Wisconsin would agree that some kind of bypass that would divert traffic around Superior to the south and would then tie into Route 2 east of town would be desirable.  Such a bypass could shorten the drive to the Apostle Islands area by perhaps as much as thirty minutes.