One of the major advantages of our region is its strong transportation infrastructure that is well developed and capable of handling even the most complex transportation needs.
Highways
There are several State and Interstate highways in the region including:
- Interstate 43, which is the 5th longest intrastate interstate, connects with Interstate 90 in Beloit and runs through Milwaukee to Green Bay intersecting with state highways 141 and 41, which continue north into Michigan
- Interstate 39 runs from Normal, Illinois to just south of Wausau where it connects with state highway 51 continuing north to Ironwood, Wisconsin
- Highway 64 connects Marinette to Minnesota into Minneapolis/St. Paul
- Highway 29 connects Kewaunee through Green Bay and Wausau to Prescott; also connecting with interstate 94
- Highway 70 runs through Florence, Wisconsin into Minnesota
In addition to the above highway system, the region boasts 17 freight-forwarding carriers.
Rail
There are several railroads going through the region including:
- Canadian National (Class I)
- Union Pacific (Class I)
- Escanaba and Lake Superior
- Wisconsin and Southern
- Wisconsin Rail System Map
Air
The major airports in or near our region provide ample direct access to major national and international hubs.
- Austin Straubel International Airport - A self-funded enterprise with no impact on the tax levy of Brown County. The airport has a positive impact on the economic growth and quality of life throughout northeastern Wisconsin and currently serves six cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Myers, Minneapolis and Orlando. It is called an 'international" airport because it opened a sterilizer facility to allow general aviation aircraft to dispose of their international trash and clear Customs.
- Central Wisconsin Airport - Served by Delta Connection servicing Minneapolis and Detroit; United Airlines, servicing Chicago O'Hare; and American Airlines Eagle, servicing Chicago O'Hare.
- Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport - Served by Delta Connection operated by SkyWest Airlines serving Rhinelander with jet services via Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.
- Outagamie County Regional Airport - Currently served by Allegiant Air with service to Las Vegas, Phoenix-Mesa and Orlando.
Also nearby are the airports in Milwaukee, about a two hours' drive away, and in Madison, about a two-and-a-half hours' drive away.
There are also several other smaller airports throughout the region.
Deep water ports
- Port of Green Bay - Largest port in the region and offers international access through the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as an intermodal facility. Strategically located on the western most point of Lake Michigan; offers a direct route for shipments linking Midwest and international markets. The port is served by a major railroad and several nationally known truck lines that provide overnight delivery within a 400-mile radius.
Terminals located on the adjacent Fox River include 14 capable of handling dry bulk commodities such as coal, cement, limestone, salt and pig iron as well as four firms handling bulk liquids including tallow, petroleum products and asphalt. Two general cargo docks can handle wood pulp, machinery, bagged agricultural commodities and forest products.
- Port of Marinette - Port of Marinette serves industries with facilities on the harbor. These include Marinette Fuel and Dock and Marinette Marine Corporation, a division of the Manitowoc Marine Group.
- Port of Manitowoc - Port of Manitowoc handles bulk commodities, newly constructed yachts and passengers on the Lake Michigan Carferry. The port is also home to a marine contracting firm that services Lake Michigan ports in Wisconsin and Michigan.
- Port of Sheboygan - Port of Sheboygan is conveniently located between Milwaukee and Green Bay on Lake Michigan's western shore. Docking for commercial cruise ships and other larger vessels is provided along a newly reconstructed seawall at the mouth of the Sheboygan River.
- Port of Sturgeon Bay - Port of Sturgeon Bay is the location of two major shipping and ship repair facilities on Lake Michigan. In business since 1968, Bay Shipbuilding (a division of the Manitowoc Company) is the Great Lakes leading builder of self-unloading bulk carriers — among the largest ships traveling the Great Lakes. The company offers a full service facility for ship repair, conversion and new construction of lake carriers, military vessel and small craft for commercial use. Palmer Johnson, Inc. manufactures world-class luxury yachts for domestic and international customers and services small luxury yachts.
- Washington Island / Northport Harbor - Northport Harbor serves Door County as a major ferry landing, connecting State Hwy. 42 with Washington Island with daily, year around ferry service. Over 4000 ferry trips depart annually, carrying people, vehicles of all sizes, and a variety of goods back and forth, utilizing the protected pier.
