City Council Approves Road Design Alternatives from Sixth to Eighteenth Street

The Wausau Infrastructure & Facilities Committee convened on August 14, 2025, to discuss critical infrastructure improvements, particularly focusing on traffic safety and roadway design in the city. The meeting highlighted concerns regarding traffic flow and safety measures, especially in areas experiencing high accident rates.

A significant topic of discussion was the proposed design for left turn lanes along a busy corridor. Committee members expressed worries about potential traffic stacking due to land use changes, which could exacerbate existing safety issues. The design standards were reviewed, with emphasis on addressing "hot spots" where accidents have occurred, particularly between Sixth and Thirteenth Streets. The committee acknowledged that while the initial safety screenings did not indicate issues in certain areas, recent data on rear-end collisions raised alarms about the need for further evaluation.

An amendment was proposed to adopt a specific design plan, referred to as "C1," from Tenth Avenue to Eighteenth Avenue, which included a 10-foot path on the south side of the road. This amendment aimed to minimize property acquisition and streamline the design process. However, concerns were raised about the impact on residents' yards, with committee members debating the extent of property loss that would result from the proposed changes.

The committee ultimately voted to amend the motion to extend the design plan to Thirteenth Avenue, transitioning to the C1 plan from Thirteenth to Eighteenth Avenue. This decision was influenced by the recognition that the area beyond Thirteenth Avenue had fewer residential properties close to the road, potentially reducing the impact on homeowners.

The discussions underscored the committee's commitment to enhancing roadway safety while balancing the needs of the community. As the committee moves forward, further refinements to the design will be necessary to address the concerns raised during the meeting. The anticipated next steps include continued evaluation of traffic patterns and safety measures to ensure that the infrastructure improvements effectively meet the community's needs.