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RL_Miller's avatar
RL_Miller
Explorer
Aug 08, 2015

Crossing the Mississippi at LaCrosse WI

Coming from the south is there a best way to cross the Mississippi? Rt 14 or I-90
  • Looking a Google Maps Sat view, it looks like taking US61 acriss ti Ka Crescent involves a lot less city driving. WI35 and US53 both appear to spend a lot of time as 4 lane city streets.

    US16/WI14 looks like older 4 lane, sometimes divided roadway. I can see black expansion joint patching, so it might be bouncy. But the speed limit is probably 45. It's not limited access, but not heavily populated either.

    In streetview, the pavement looks new at the Wisconsin end, including over the 'twin' main channel spans. The south, west bound, lanes might be a bit wider, or at least have more shoulders (that's a newer bridge).

    US65 on the Minnesota is near-freeway.

    If coming from the east on I90, I wouldn't hesitate to stick with that bridge, construction or not - unless there are explicit instructions to detour. But from the south US61 clearly bypasses more of the city.
  • There's no good way. 14 is clogged with otherwise traffic as several detours and local road construction funnels all traffic to the 14 bridge. I-90 west bound has multiple lane shifts, an orange cone mess. Personally, take I-90 if proceeding west. It's a mess. If you are already on 14 coming into La Crosse from the south, cross the 14 bridge (cass St.) into Minnesota then north, much less disruption than trying to cross town.
  • I-90 is under construction but it hardly slows you down. We were just there