Wisconsin Highways

BYPASS US-53 Photos, November 4, 2005 (Page 1 of 2)

This is page one of two featuring photos related to the former BYPASS US-53 route in the Eau Claire area, taken on November 4, 2005. BYPASS US-53 was a temporary route designation which existed from 2005 to 2006 while the remainder of the US-53 freeway around Eau Claire was being completed and these photos attempt to preserve the history of this temporary, and now decommissioned, route. This page consists of photos related to the North Crossing Extension from Hastings Way easterly to the new freeway. Page 2 features photos along the new freeway itself.

BYPASS US-53 sign
Heading north along US-53/Hastings Way (now BUS US-53) approaching the North Crossing interchan ge. When the north half of the Eau Claire bypass was completed in 2005, it and the North Crossing Extension were signed as BYPASS US-53. Here a temporary sign has been erected showing US-53 traffic how to access BYP US-53. In the distance you can see part of the original overhead signage for the North Crossing exit. Photo ©2005 by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.

North Crossing exit signs on US-53
The original signage along northbound US-53/Hastings Way at the North Crossing in Eau Claire on November 4, 2005. Essentially every route designation at this location has changed since this photo was taken. Later in November 2005, what had been "SOUTH STH-124" along the North Crossing became east-and-west STH-312 and "NORTH STH-124" was truncated back to Lake Hallie. Then in August 2005, with the completion of the US-53 bypass freeway in its entirety, the US-53 designation shown here on Hastings Way became BUS US-53. Photo ©2005 by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.

BYPASS US-53 route marker at North Crossing
BYPASS US-53 sign at the end of the northbound off-ramp from Hastings Way at the North Crossing taken November 4, 2005. Photo ©2005 by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.

END BYPASS US-53 route marker at Hastings Way
A few hundred yards east of the previous photo, this time looking westerly along the North Crossing Extension approaching the US-53/Hastings Way (now BUS US-53) interchange. This route marker assembly marked the southern terminus of BYPASS US-53. In the distance behind the sign pointing to Chippewa Falls is a route marker assembly pointing to NORTH US-53 and NORTH STH-124, today NORTH BUS US-53. Photo ©2005 by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.

Hill cut on North Crossing Extension
While two impressive cuts had to be made for the new bypass freeway, an additional cut was necessary along the North Crossing Extension as well. This photo, taken on November 4, 2005, is looking easterly along what was then BYP US-53 (now STH-312) near Abbe Hill Dr. Photo ©2005 by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.

Hill cut on North Crossing Extension
A view of the same cut along the North Crossing Extension (including a BYP US-53 route marker assembly) taken November 4, 2006 looking westerly at McKinley Rd. Also note the changeable message sign in the distance which reads: "53 SOUTH USE LEFT LANE". Photo ©2005 by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.

North Crossing Extension, BYPASS US-53
A view of the North Crossing Extension, then part of BYP US-53 (now STH-312), on November, 4, 2005 looking easterly at McKinley Dr. Note the pair of "NORTH US-53 / USE LEFT LANE" route marker assemblies and, just beind those, a BYP US-53 reassurance marker. The bypass freeway interchange sits in the distance—the signals at the intersection can just be made out. Photo ©2005 by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.

BYPASS US-53 route marker assembly
A BYPASS US-53 route marker assembly at the top of the southbound off-ramp at the North Crossing Extension from November 4, 2005. From 2005 into 2006, the freeway ended here and all traffic was forced off and onto the North Crossing. At this location today would be a route marker assembly pointing to EAST STH-312. Photo ©2005 by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.

CONTINUE TO PAGE 2: BYPASS US-53 PHOTOS (2005)

Additional Information

 

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