MADISON, Wis. -- Rock County economic leaders have hope that reconstructing part of Interstate 39/90 between Madison and Beloit would give a financial boost to an economically depressed part of the state.

"We've been through some tough times with over 25 closures in this area of major employers in the last two years," said Forward Janesville president John Beckord.

Illinois just finished rebuilding a stretch of I-90 through Rockford. Some feel the improvements are now creating a bottleneck effect when traffic reaches Wisconsin.

Pressing the state to rebuild a 45.5 mile stretch from Beloit to Madison is why the "I-39/90 Now Coalition" has formed.

"It has to be fixed," said Rep. Kim Hixson. "We have to have a strong infrastructure to bring jobs to the area to improve our economy. This is a big part of our infrastructure."

Forward Janesville is helping coordinate the "I-39/90 Now Coalition". The coalition hopes to change the four-lane highway to six lanes.

"It’s crowded, it's congested," said Hixson. "We need to have it expanded to three lanes each direction."

The coalition said traffic is expected to increase by 50 percent in the next 20 years and the infrastructure is dated.

"I don't think we can wait a decade, so our goal is to advocate for making this a priority," said Beckord.

The proposed expansion is estimated to cost upward of $700 million, but officials said tax dollars already exist to cover the cost.

"What we've determined is that the question of this getting on the list, getting started in some future year, and then completed," said Beckord. "It's not a matter of not having available funds. The funds are there."

Rock County leaders believe that the interstate expansion could ultimately make southern Wisconsin more appealing to prospective industries.

"When businesses are looking to relocate," said Rep. Hixson, "they want to make sure that their products can be moved effectively and efficiently, and part of that is our high-speed interstate system."

The coalition said as ambitious as it may sound, they would like to see construction in the next five years.

While there are several possible projects throughout the state competing for the same dollars, Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan is among those in support of the proposal.

Sheridan, who was born in and currently resides in Janesville, says an expansion holds great potential for economic recovery and future prosperity.