[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6639248,"mediaKeyId","3806425-be5f80e587fb479806f7391a4b0b1926","parentId",3806425,"title","Committee backs safety-focused design for State Highway 52 (East Wausau Avenue), directs follow-up on lighting and sidewalk","audioSeconds",1932,"startMs",31830,"endMs",1963975,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806425-be5f80e587fb479806f7391a4b0b1926&start=31&end=1963","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806425-be5f80e587fb479806f7391a4b0b1926/thumbnail_31830.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6639248/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Committee-backs-safety-focused-design-for-State-Highway-52-East-Wausau-Avenue-directs-follow-up-on-lighting-and-sidewalk","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639248-f4e6f38f8d26838489bdfeca7e0f7c68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180484&Signature=XhbywpqnRF1oF~aGCg7pHopTNTIIrHhPDonwo4J5sT76f9P6s1nVkimXPUtus5ermMisqWPI0rVou94Pp2mlkHhvfF7R2H2Mu919eQNZP67nzVRGLywh0pkWsPjhEehPZ0FICvu9~KMTt78b6ac94h07ahqG6qUVwne6jSUIxhSdGxkDQvMc7TES3tUwWjddFBFTventi95AFybNvd4GYfqVmJOsTnWPI8k83z8g2Aq~hH4lyNyokpvmKYAfCFUkUpPpFgtlmXH8AlE4yLDIuOyUahl~xIuk-kZcJZDzV3k0NaDwOonG67WjIL74tb65OEoJaVDeNUKmePv9QWmAbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wausau, WI","date","2025-06-13T12:38:22Z","article","The Wausau Infrastructure and Facilities Committee on June 12 recommended the city endorse Alternative A2 for the planned reconstruction of State Highway 52 (East Wausau Avenue) from North Sixth Street to North Eighteenth Street, citing rear-end crash patterns and school-hour traffic as primary safety drivers.

Stephanie Christiansen, the EMCS consultant designing the project for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, told the committee the existing pavement has reached the end of its service life and that \"there's a pattern of rear end crashes\" between Sixth and Thirteenth streets. She summarized the scoping crash review covering a five-year period (2017'021), which found 41 crashes in that segment with about half being rear-end collisions and roughly 37 percent angle collisions; roughly 40 percent of drivers involved were under age 25 and many crashes occurred during morning and afternoon school periods.

The recommended Alternative A2 calls for 11-foot travel lanes and a 12-foot two-way center left-turn lane for much of the corridor, with a target five-foot boulevard to allow replanting. Alan (staff member) said the staff report recommended A2 \"based on the safety aspect of it\" and because the A2 typical section reduces right-of-way impacts compared with the wider A1 option. The committee approved a motion \"to move forward with alternative A2 for this phase,\" seconded from Alder Watson; the motion carried 5-0.

Why it matters: The project is programmed by the Wisconsin DOT for reconstruction in 2029; the DOT is the lead agency for this state highway project, but the city supplies a recommendation to DOT and negotiates a state-municipal agreement (SMA) that can include additional items such as lighting or sidewalk additions. Committee members and staff stressed that while A addresses the corridor's crash pattern, other alternatives (B, C, D) would not materially reduce the rear-end crash trend identified in the scoping study.

Key details and next steps
- Safety findings: The consultant said the scoping review found 41 crashes (2017'021) on the Sixth-to-Thirteenth segment, with about half rear-end and about 37 percent angle collisions. Many occurred during AM/PM school periods and a substantial share of drivers involved were under 25.
- Typical-section options considered: A (two-way left-turn lane through corridor, with variations A1 and A2), B (maintain existing typical), C (hybrid/targeted turn lanes), and D (direct pavement replacement with no geometric changes). Staff recommended A2 (11' travel lanes / 12' center turn lane) as a balance of safety benefits and reduced right-of-way impacts compared with A1.
- Right-of-way/tree impacts: The design team noted roughly similar order-of-magnitude right-of-way needs across alternatives; preliminary estimates in the packet showed a 0.1-acre difference in permanent right-of-way between alternatives (\"four-tenths vs. three-tenths,\" per the handout table at 30% design). The corridor is maturely treed; excavation (planned pavement structure ~3 feet) will affect root systems and tree impacts were a major public concern.
- Sidewalk and lighting: Staff and the consultant flagged two separate choices the committee must consider: (1) adding continuous sidewalk on the north side from Thirteenth to Eighteenth (no sidewalk exists now), and (2) adding continuous street lighting along the corridor. Staff said the state would pay 80% of the sidewalk cost and the state is willing to participate 50/50 on a typical continuous lighting system, but both items would require amending the SMA. Estimated costs discussed in the meeting: a continuous lighting system was described as \"around over $700,000\" total with the city's half about $357,500 if the DOT participates 50/50; the north-side sidewalk was estimated at $19,500 (state pick-up 80%, city 20) per the packet and staff remarks. The committee deferred formal direction on lighting and the Thirteenth-to-Eighteenth sidewalk and asked staff to return those two items for committee consideration in July, with the bicycle- and pedestrian-advisory committee also scheduled to review the designs in June.
- Schedule: Staff and the consultant said DOT 30% plans and schedule milestones are upcoming; the target is to complete final plans in May 2028 and construction in 2029 with environmental documentation aimed for early next year. The committee acknowledged some schedule flexibility but indicated a preference to provide a recommendation to DOT promptly so the DOT-driven design can proceed.

Committee discussion and public input
Committee members asked about lane widths, bicycle accommodations, and right-of-way impacts. Stephanie Christiansen said bike lanes are accommodated in the typical section and that 4-foot paved bike lanes (with a two-foot pan) would meet the project's criteria for an MPO-designated bike route, while explaining that the desirable width is larger for rider comfort but minimum standards apply. Alan and other members discussed tree replanting opportunities (5-foot boulevard recommended to support replanting) and the potential to pursue community-sensitive funding or future city planting programs to offset tree loss.

What the vote covered
The motion recorded in the meeting directed staff to move forward with Alternative A2 as the committee's preferred alternative to transmit to DOT and to continue coordination on design refinement and environmental documentation. The record shows the motion passed unanimously (5-0).

Tapering note
Committee members and staff emphasized that the DOT is the final decision-maker for this state highway project; the city's recommendation informs the DOT's design but does not bind the state to adopt every local preference. The committee also asked staff to report the lighting and sidewalk questions back in July after additional review and consultation with the bicycle-and-pedestrian advisory committee and before the matter goes to full council.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wausau Infrastructure and Facilities Committee Meeting - 6/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wausau Infrastructure and Facilities Committee on June 12 recommended the city endorse Alternative A2 for the planned reconstruction of State Highway 52 (East Wausau Avenue) from North Sixth Street to North Eighteenth Street, citing rear-end crash patterns and school-hour traffic as primary safety drivers.","taxTitle","Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin","taxId",4562,"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},6639233,"Engineering updates 2025 street projects; downtown work ahead of schedule, phased neighborhood projects under way",2853,3026485,5880335,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806425-be5f80e587fb479806f7391a4b0b1926&start=3026&end=5880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806425-be5f80e587fb479806f7391a4b0b1926/thumbnail_3026485.jpg","/articles/6639233/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Engineering-updates-2025-street-projects-downtown-work-ahead-of-schedule-phased-neighborhood-projects-under-way","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639233-85f6529cd8b75ac7c28f63fd9ebf8e65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180484&Signature=OrN4Qa9qv44K7BIee9PuIUtLkksQMrxEHleccVDEzhbYBk31DaViRNdfLRF9k772OWzif~BSyFJogwz2rwqMc1wqrDb5ERW-OMX~-bUdf64v50tjNhVQlUdFmzx4F1WfyfL7Cb70fT4o7y7n2ldu7X2Tg1Uh2qM6Rdh5Enk5BG8WaHUD8JRlfmj~VDZyNRKU70DtBTuSUjEMR2THCubKi5tEpwg059cT5L3KoZOXUlOoNnyhYNgnXbYRCa7CSZti0LK9xoW1PxVJL9I2F15y7oZKP76KFu7eBedqIk1vtZbU9hv17QTRTMFu8s6bHqYe8pe~dFIYPGMLHtLwlnraDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City engineering staff provided progress reports on the 2025 street reconstruction program and related projects at the committee's June 12 meeting.

Downtown: The Washington/Third/Jackson downtown work is described as proceeding \"extremely well\" and is ahead of schedule. Washington Street from First to Third is open to traffic; paving is complete from Third to Fourth but final landscaping and finishing will keep full reopening later; concrete pours on Third Street (south of Washington toward Jackson) are underway.

Randolph and Cherry (Project A): The work is split into three phases. Phase 1 (Cherry Street from West Wausau to just north of Eldred) has underground utilities complete with gravel base down and curb scheduled next week. Phase 2 (Merrill Avenue to Third Avenue on Randolph) crews have completed sanitary sewer in the intersection and will proceed with water and eastward progress; the schedule is tied to school needs and should be finished by mid-August. Phase 3 (Cherry Street Eldred to Randolph and Third to Burrick) will follow; overall completion is targeted around mid-October.

Project B and Fulton Street: First Street and River Drive are complete and open. Fulton Street work is concentrated between First and Third, with Third Street closed briefly for underground work; paving and reopening of that intersection was projected imminently in the staff update. The broader Fulton work (Third to Seventh) will follow with an early-October completion target.

Multiuse trail (70 Second Avenue): The project's retaining-wall work under the overpass requires a temporary detour for southbound traffic; staff expects the detour to be lifted within a week and the multiuse trail completion target is August 1, with an expectation the work may finish earlier.

Context and constraints
Staff noted the tight calendar for design, bidding and construction driven by budget and seasonal constraints and said certain lead-service-line replacements and utility repairs create patching needs separate from larger reconstruction projects. Committee members raised concerns about isolated trench-and-patch work (for example, lead service replacements) leaving neighborhood streets in poor condition; staff agreed to present a list of candidate streets for overlay work tied to available funds (including an extra-asphalt allocation) at a future meeting. Several alder members also asked staff to consider prioritizing full reconstruction when significant utility work is imminent rather than sequential patching.

","Engineering reported progress on multiple 2025 reconstruction projects: downtown Washington/Third/Jackson is ahead of schedule; Randolph/Cherry phases are advancing; Fulton, First and River Drive work is progressing; a multiuse trail near Sunnyvale Park is on track for an early August completion.",{"_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},6639238,"Committee reviews city street-lighting policy; alder members raise dark-sky and color-temperature concerns",2003,2822015,4825645,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806425-be5f80e587fb479806f7391a4b0b1926&start=2822&end=4825","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806425-be5f80e587fb479806f7391a4b0b1926/thumbnail_2822015.jpg","/articles/6639238/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Committee-reviews-city-street-lighting-policy-alder-members-raise-dark-sky-and-color-temperature-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639238-220626173dce5c75f378a5cda4dcaa66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180484&Signature=V2FvjYiNxs9MR4DbpnBtgIT5sMCjeTsVTXH~8VQd5BnSTX3wyQqpYNylrifnQAY50pQEGGpauf~BxpGW~OmPhN2Ia9XvSKtGXXMj-mmOjoOEUB5MGkrDwohcWEKk~37TzbOxMrMUpAo7rJlMFE7t1eOlV5-0DdGIbKQJQpjWLY~TGeQz9rZRFAreR908aCRBUW42Fv13XsjyTLOD6uSFWyRdjhjmbhudqZdxKH2mciD-9UvM~ksuJHKBH5EQHPt7aqPCNkQFGX0ayfxJd6FhDSVtuH54j5cdCzXu041QsqDcDfVQZHf5KJhE3IAvdMf2QaWrNFjqPF-DF0j3BD5hOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Infrastructure and Facilities Committee discussed the city's street-lighting policy on June 12, reviewing the current process for adding lights on existing streets and hearing alder members' concerns about light spill, fixture types and opportunities to adopt dark-sky-friendly standards.

Engineering staff summarized the policy in the meeting packet: requests for new street lights on existing roads are handled by the inspections department per established criteria; inspections evaluates requests and, if they meet policy criteria, forwards them to the local utility (WPS) for installation. The policy sets a typical minimum spacing metric (discussed in the meeting as roughly 500 feet between continuous fixtures in some contexts) and treats new-subdivision lighting as a developer responsibility handled in developer agreements.

Alders and committee members raised two themes: neighborhood trade-offs and modern lighting practice. Some residents prefer more light for perceived safety; others oppose additional fixtures that cause nighttime spill into houses. Alder Martins urged the committee to study dark-sky best practices and cited five design principles from International Dark-Sky guidance: make lighting useful (only where needed); use targeted fixtures; keep light levels no brighter than necessary; control use with timers or sensors; and prefer warm-color temperatures (about 2,800'000 K) over high-blue-spectrum 5,000'600 K fixtures. Several alder members asked staff to return with options that could include color-temperature guidance, fixture types that limit spill, and a process review so citizens understand the criteria and appeals process.

Practical points and follow-up
Staff said the existing policy already governs most requests and that inspectors (Rick Bogalski was the staff contact listed) follow the packet criteria when a resident requests a light; the utility performs installation if the request meets the criteria. Committee members asked for options and clarifications and suggested that a formal review of the policy could identify changes such as:\\n- Standards for fixture color temperature and spectral distribution (warmer light recommended by some members),\\n- Targeted shielding and aiming to reduce spill into homes,\\n- Use-based controls (timers/motion sensors) where appropriate, and\\n- Public guidance about petition vs. individual-request paths.

The committee did not change the policy at the meeting but invited staff to bring proposed modifications or clarifications back for committee consideration.","Staff reviewed the city's street-lighting policy and the inspection-based process for adding lights; alder members asked staff to consider warm-color lighting, targeted fixtures to reduce spill and timers or motion controls, and to return with possible policy updates.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6639243,"Committee hears pleas to preserve street trees as city explains limits of reconstruction work",1891,2468340,4360215,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806425-be5f80e587fb479806f7391a4b0b1926&start=2468&end=4360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806425-be5f80e587fb479806f7391a4b0b1926/thumbnail_2468340.jpg","/articles/6639243/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Committee-hears-pleas-to-preserve-street-trees-as-city-explains-limits-of-reconstruction-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639243-278ddd072216817c0a399074d31f98ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180484&Signature=Uo2hSeBX73hMnaYQPEPy1WF4ZHk~oirmEs6UmJ3sblApvyLxteBMkP7OWiJuxm9KxnwMwRM12U7iOEtck5eMDZjRFkjqtvHoxsWONC9UUKWpiSrZPPs3LWk9~LHXKR-TNcKzJ0WuIImhqAlSgH8Sezzqjc~8Z9Dvdz~9qFSb2KU-Mj3MbN7UIS7R8U65U7WhH5qmQWAqUGB4KC-q6-~ks8gLiyhMei2LTiqtHhqpeR5kHvoJq7IFjTj8M8X3as5f6Smt3gCAmR-uE1RIR0ueAARKbZX6cxQ6yhsROImVqffsowbqVbYdMjwrB9ll-B2bt1ChVfmwQIhBdYslzAg3aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Infrastructure and Facilities Committee on June 12 held an extended discussion on tree preservation during street reconstruction projects, with alder members and residents urging the city to adopt more rigorous protections and staff explaining engineering and utility constraints that often require tree removal.

TJ (engineering staff) outlined the design process used for reconstruction projects and said decisions about curb-to-curb width (typically 33 to 37 feet) and the need to replace underground utilities drive how much terrace/boulevard remains for trees. He noted water mains are typically about 8 feet deep, sanitary sewers can run 8\u00012 feet or deeper (and in some locations reach 20 feet), and required separations between utilities and large excavations often leave little unexcavated soil in the terrace for tree roots. The engineering presentation emphasized that \"once we do finish our design, we hand that off to the city forester\" to evaluate which trees can realistically be saved.

John (city forester) said his evaluation focuses on tree condition and structural stability: species in poor health or ash trees infested by emerald ash borer are typically removed and replaced; trees that would be structurally compromised by the excavation (for example, where remaining rooting area is insufficient) are also removed to avoid later failures. He described a rule-of-thumb that a tree's required structurally stable rooting area is roughly three times the trunk diameter and said deep excavation or cutting on multiple sides can leave a previously stable tree at risk of failure.

Alders and residents described recent projects where many street trees were removed and urged the city to re-examine standards. Alder Neal cited multiple blocks where nearly all trees were cut during reconstruction and asked the city to re-engage outside experts and to bring forward a preservation-focused process. Alder Gisselman and others urged a citywide effort to avoid the look of clear-cut streets and recommended stronger coordination between engineering, parks, and the forester. Speakers recalled a City of Wausau tree-planting and preservation specification manual from previous years and asked staff to locate, update, or reintroduce those specifications.

Staff response and next steps
Engineering and parks staff said they already take steps to limit removals where practicable, and the city forester said some trees have survived even after aggressive nearby excavation. Staff acknowledged past plantings and placement of trees were sometimes inappropriate (for example, trees planted too close to utilities or drive approaches) and that newer plantings are placed with longer-term survivability in mind. The committee asked staff to develop a more transparent process in which planned reconstruction projects would show anticipated tree impacts before construction and to coordinate with Parks & Recreation and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee where appropriate. Alder Neal volunteered to work with engineering and staff to draft a proposed process or policy and requested the committee consider inviting a preservation expert (the consultant who previously worked with Milwaukee was suggested) to consult on refinements.

Why it matters
Residents said tree canopy and neighborhood character are vital quality-of-life issues and that wholesale removal without visible, documented efforts to reduce loss damages community trust. Staff said public safety and utility access concerns in the short term must be balanced with long-term canopy goals; the city will aim to document impacts earlier in the design timeline and bring proposed preservation procedures back to the committee.

","Committee members, the city forester and engineering staff discussed why many street trees are removed during full street reconstruction, described the design constraints that force removals, and heard alder and resident calls to adopt stronger preservation processes and to reengage experts who helped other cities conserve trees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee backs safety-focused design for State Highway 52 (East Wausau Avenue), directs follow-up on lighting and sidewalk

Engineering updates 2025 street projects; downtown work ahead of schedule, phased neighborhood projects under way

Committee reviews city street-lighting policy; alder members raise dark-sky and color-temperature concerns

Committee hears pleas to preserve street trees as city explains limits of reconstruction work