[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6290494,"mediaKeyId","2530913-0fe490def361b4a67942f0ab0098312a","parentId",2530913,"title","Polk County committee weighs rumble strips after fatal crash; WisDOT engineer did not recommend changes","audioSeconds",2197,"startMs",77000,"endMs",2274000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530913-0fe490def361b4a67942f0ab0098312a&start=77&end=2274","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530913-0fe490def361b4a67942f0ab0098312a/thumbnail_77000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6290494/Polk-County/Wisconsin/Polk-County-committee-weighs-rumble-strips-after-fatal-crash-WisDOT-engineer-did-not-recommend-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290494-ada7cefc8833194da7e4e360f63e7513/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011137&Signature=QndqUPorTEvMhB7oJFF68NtgxCutUWyQ6tWKxCwLjfoZ1mgkoJIq7T-W8YJadtk4C1ONr2sCeGnSbDqwt11LRBKHEI~TfhKFYKzB0U9Vd2C39a7Qdpj8tfkpLIF-BbEHYZ9g65hU4qYS36Xcm4fBARal96ZZpNXzu2vC-ueOZFXdaN4ecLNnSAdeH5nlbwl4oMPuYk808lSz3peYnGHM7vpoe0HxsfiQHYxmAHdyvdrujfOuIcszcORQTasad5gP~amYIRfo7U2UN0EeimcG3LFDjp~t1JRb69olKFSAmMy0CeQIY42H0q9O71BOg9d-VrQyvMbs~I7GLCfwCyn1rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","WI / Polk County ","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","A resident who identified herself as a supervisor for Bone Lake told the Polk County committee she circulated a petition with more than 200 signatures urging the county to install rumble strips on both approaches to the County Road I intersection with State Highway 48 after a local deacon sustained life-changing injuries there.

The petition presentation opened a technical briefing from Polk County highway staff. Josh, a highway staff member, summarized accident history, prior treatments of the intersection and an engineering review by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). \"I pulled this data off the WisDOT's community maps website that tracks all reportable accidents,\" he said, and noted the county recorded a fatality in August and a severe-injury crash the following month.

The county highway presentation and public comment together framed the central questions facing the committee: whether transverse rumble strips should be reinstalled at that intersection, how effective they would be for stop-controlled rural approaches, and how to weigh their safety benefits against noise and maintenance impacts for nearby residents.

Why it matters: the petitioner said the deacon \"had to have 5 vertebrae fused\" and lost about \"80% of her neck movement,\" describing the accident as evidence of an urgent safety problem. County highway staff said transverse rumble strips at stop-controlled rural intersections have been associated with a reduction in some fatal crashes (they cited a figure of about 21 percent for transverse rumble strips) but also create noise for nearby homes and can accelerate asphalt deterioration.

Highway staff described past attempts at rumble-strip installation on local roads, saying earlier strips at the site were paved over during repaving and that the prior installation \"did not meet design spec\" and produced avoidance behavior by drivers. Josh said he consulted WisDOT traffic engineer Aaron Christ, who \"did his research\" and \"didn't see any needed improvements for this intersection\" under current design standards.

Staff estimated a contractor quote of roughly \"$800 per strip,\" with three transverse strips per approach described in the county's design spacing; Josh said a single set (three strips on one approach) would run about $2,400 plus mobilization. He also pointed out siting issues: the first of the recommended strips would fall within roughly 1,000 feet of several residences, making noise a likely complaint.

Committee discussion acknowledged both the seriousness of recent crashes and limits on county authority. Mike Stoffel, identified by staff as the chair for the quarterly traffic safety meeting, and Dan Contos, the county's Northwest Region contact, were named as part of the safety-meeting process that will review the issue; committee members noted WisDOT controls signage and certain treatments on state highways that abut county roads.

The committee did not adopt a formal change to county policy or order installation during the meeting. After discussion members agreed to \"take it under advisement\" and await the next regional traffic safety meeting for additional input; county staff said the WisDOT traffic engineer had already declined to recommend rumble strips for this site. The item remains under consideration pending the safety meeting and any further recommendations from WisDOT or the regional safety group.

Ending: The county recorded the public petition and highway staff materials for follow-up. No installation or funding decision was made at the meeting; committee members said they would revisit the issue after the traffic safety meeting and any supplemental engineering advice.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Safety & Public Works Meeting: 1-7-2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Bone Lake supervisor delivered a petition with more than 200 signatures asking Polk County to re-install rumble strips at the County Road I and State Highway 48 intersection after a series of crashes, including one August fatality and a September injury; county highway staff said WisDOT traffic engineers did not recommend rumble strips for the site and the committee took the matter under advisement.","taxTitle","Polk County, Wisconsin","taxId",72897,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6290484,"Polk County sheriff reports recent fatality trends, staffing challenges and recreation patrol changes",176,2284000,2460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530913-0fe490def361b4a67942f0ab0098312a&start=2284&end=2460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530913-0fe490def361b4a67942f0ab0098312a/thumbnail_2284000.jpg","/articles/6290484/Polk-County/Wisconsin/Polk-County-sheriff-reports-recent-fatality-trends-staffing-challenges-and-recreation-patrol-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290484-64e06bb0e3000addecaf9be7b31006d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011137&Signature=OnkQJeAGXeEHuOn8I~gXaCXxcjVTEMeKs2yOKzonuuSX1qpEB4CKo7qZJolvo8zRd3Ca68tlLnGw7vvHBsuhhkJwoBDe~uIhE7ahD7XPAfAINHRsUOrFAnxG-TBp29AH8onr8FrpHsgpu9Uxzl9aa3-BkVovCWlqGjYzOx5N7pBiESjyZN8cl1d58r47HEqnmpBd2PxjLy~Q5nDph~kU2EdK6ktbOL654aLCy~v70FazE1aNwL1SJIBZ~2NKUX02SDkhD2wgKP9F27ADks3CUL29VBxcK-vYTbXkTd8qdK2PdXQyRmIWb-HGJX89Qoe0t~j4i1TPhCGDMG7J5qzPZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County's sheriff briefed the committee on traffic fatalities, staffing and recreational enforcement plans, saying the county recorded eight traffic fatalities last year compared with a recent average of about 11 per year.

\"We ended the year with 8 fatality,\" the sheriff reported, and added that the county averages 11 fatalities a year since 2019. He said regional comparisons showed varying numbers across neighboring counties and emphasized the department's continued traffic-enforcement efforts and participation in quarterly highway-safety meetings.

The sheriff described staffing constraints: two recruits are in the academy and expected to finish in June, followed by three months of field training, meaning newly hired officers may not be available for roughly ten months. He also announced internal promotions: Sergeant Jeff Hahn was assigned to a recreation-sergeant role and Ryan Jordan was promoted to patrol sergeant. Deputy Troy Olsen is due to retire in the coming weeks; the sheriff said the department will honor him.

The sheriff also recounted a recent out-of-county fatality response and attended a funeral for a corrections officer killed by a drunk driver; he used those events to underscore enforcement priorities. Committee members had no follow-up questions and accepted the report.

Ending: The committee received the sheriff's annual report on fatalities, noted staffing timelines for new recruits and recognized upcoming personnel transitions.","The sheriff told the committee Polk County recorded eight highway fatalities last year (below a recent average of 11) and described staffing and recruitment challenges that affect enforcement and recreational patrols; deputies, promotions and a pending retirement were noted.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6290488,"Polk County highway and public-works staff report dam, recycling and bridge-inventory progress",471,449000,920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530913-0fe490def361b4a67942f0ab0098312a&start=449&end=920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530913-0fe490def361b4a67942f0ab0098312a/thumbnail_449000.jpg","/articles/6290488/Polk-County/Wisconsin/Polk-County-highway-and-public-works-staff-report-dam-recycling-and-bridge-inventory-progress","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290488-5904758aaf390490add6e1b63233194f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011137&Signature=hVSti3f51IrcreDzA9VPzBL7HTdRYu~u5wAjLvpSw-a56R1N7RCrzCuCnkzWTFaOE2IaVs1HwJOPEhe4Z9RIgX53yvMevyp6D7ZZePzkkvZwOTEg46yFhnCM~UH82nsO-CSg64u4Go7d-VtNZj1-GDvH8ZsNpDKUJ1r~tNF8QFDDqybcS2Bv5EUUBmGvi7eDVWuk48m8Wo7-2zTX4j4hvslw0sAut92a0CRo9oQKH0H3RqduedL5sViHaRgTmZbDVP42QPvoK0OwN7SiwVvZO3BGLNm~klWyPcEiTjR4l~XwRwWJAJrRWibgkE1jvoom5FPyoqtfUuQ4q-9Gk6etvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County public-works and highway staff gave the committee status updates on several infrastructure projects and maintenance programs, including Clam Falls Dam, recycling-facility repairs and a county inventory of small bridge structures.

Public Works reported that work on Clam Falls Dam is \"done as far as they can go by January\" and that crews will return in March to install gates and actuators to finish the job; the department also said contractors will redo metal flashing around the top of the county recycling building and expected interior completion in the next couple of weeks, with a punch-list walkthrough scheduled for Feb. 11. Public Works noted new bullet-resistant glazing had been installed on public-facing windows at the Justice Center and received positive feedback.

Highway staff described winter operations and equipment impacts: light snow has allowed additional brush-cutting and right-of-way work, but increased mower use has caused more equipment breakdowns. The county rented a bucket truck through January to address hazardous trees and leaned vegetation over roadways.

On statewide bridge inventory work, county staff said they completed the Westaff 6-to-20-foot structure inventory and uploaded qualifying structures into the state's HSI system. \"We identified 49 structures in the county that qualified and were uploaded into HSI,\" staff said; inspections of those structures are scheduled in 2025 and the inventory and inspection work will be reimbursed by state funds. Staff noted they initially identified 52 potential structures but after review uploaded 49 county-owned structures.

Committee members asked whether private-drive bridges or trail structures were included; staff replied those were not included in the inventory, which covered municipal roads only. The highway office said it will finalize its 2025 project list and prepare requests for proposals for spring bids.

Ending: County staff will continue project closeouts, return in March to complete dam gates and actuators, and proceed with the state-funded structure inspections in 2025.","County public works and highway staff updated the committee on Clam Falls Dam construction, recycling-center repairs and a state-funded inventory of small structures; highway staff said 49 county-owned structures were uploaded to the state's HSI system and inspections are scheduled for 2025 with state reimbursement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Polk County committee weighs rumble strips after fatal crash; WisDOT engineer did not recommend changes

Polk County sheriff reports recent fatality trends, staffing challenges and recreation patrol changes

Polk County highway and public-works staff report dam, recycling and bridge-inventory progress