Committee weighs options for Packerland Drive crossings after residents report unsafe crossings; directs staff to include crossings in bike/ped plan and 2026预算

The Ashwaubenon Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee discussed a resident request for safety improvements to pedestrian crossings along Packerland Drive, reviewing an engineering concept from Ayres and options for treatment, location and timing.

Village staff described a concept from Ayres’ transportation engineer, Andy Raul, that would typically use a marked ladder crosswalk with an overhead rapid-flashing beacon (an RRFB-type installation) and enhanced roadway paint. Staff also reported that Brown County — which owns and permits traffic treatments on Packerland Drive — has signaled it would be unlikely to approve rapid-flashing beacons at both intersections identified by residents because multiple installations could be disruptive to traffic flow. Joel (village staff) summarized Andy’s written recommendation that the village should evaluate crossing locations at the neighborhood scale and prioritize a single, most appropriate location rather than pick intersections in isolation.

Committee members and residents differed on the preferred location. Several residents urged a crossing at Skylark, and one urged two crossings: Skylark plus either Carroll or West Paulson. Residents told the committee they avoid crossing Packerland at times because they do not feel safe, despite staff’s report of zero recorded pedestrian crashes on Packerland in the past 20 years. One resident said, "I don't even bother to cross there anymore," and another asked the committee to consider how many people have stopped using paths because they do not feel safe.

Staff presented options: (a) wait for the bike-and-ped plan update, now underway, and pick a location based on plan recommendations; (b) invite Ayres’ engineer to a focused workshop to select a location now; or (c) pick a location without a larger-context analysis (least preferred). Committee discussion emphasized that an implementation decision should be data-informed and consistent with planned connections but also acknowledged residents’ immediate safety concerns.

The committee directed staff to incorporate crossing-location analysis into the bike-and-ped plan and indicated support for budgeting for two crossings in 2026 so a project could proceed once county permitting and final design are complete. Staff cautioned that certain crossing types (for example, a HAWK signal) could require a full signalized intersection if placed at an intersection with turning movements; the county may not approve signalization at every candidate location. No formal motion to install a specific crossing was adopted at this meeting.

Residents were invited to submit map points and survey responses during the May 1–June 6 outreach window; staff said those inputs would inform location prioritization and the county’s review.