Beltline flex lane reduces rush hour travel times, crashes in first year of operation 

According to the Wisconsin DOT, peak travel times and crashes both decreased in the first year of the Beltline flex lane, the Wisconsin State Journal reports.

The flex lane, running on a 10-mile stretch of the Beltline between Whitney Way and the Interstate 39-90 interchange, opened on July 13, 2022. It is operational during rush hours, which are typically from 6–9 a.m. and 3–6 p.m. on weekdays.

Data shows that travel times have decreased by as much as 45% during peak hours, and total crashes have fallen by more than 20% compared with pre-pandemic conditions.