Committee recommends all‑way stop at County Road X and Pine Road after safety study

The Marathon County Infrastructure Committee on Sept. 4 recommended that the full County Board adopt an all‑way stop at the intersection of County Road X and Pine Road after a March safety study found crash warrants were met. The committee voted 4–1 to forward the recommendation, with Supervisor Voll recorded in opposition.

The committee’s action followed public comment from David Baker, a Cronowater resident and village president, who told the committee the village supported adding “always stops” at the intersection as “an incremental safety improvement.” The Highway Commissioner, Kevin Lang, presented the engineering review and said the consultant’s warrants and a benefit‑cost analysis supported the change.

The study by JT Engineering compared three options: targeted sight‑line clearing, converting the intersection to an all‑way stop, and constructing a roundabout. Lang said the all‑way stop met the DOT Highway Safety Program warrant criteria based on 2024 crash data and produced a benefit‑cost ratio of 106.9, compared with 2.6 for a roundabout. Estimated costs were roughly $20,000 for the all‑way stop and about $1.3 million for a roundabout.

Lang described the recommended implementation package: flashing LED stop signs, “double stop ahead” signs with flags, and temporary glued‑down rumble strips placed about 250 feet in advance of the intersection to alert drivers. The county plans to install the all‑way stop and monitor collision patterns to determine whether additional measures are later warranted.

Committee members pressed on sight‑line and vegetation issues. Supervisor Voll expressed concern that local drivers may not correctly navigate four‑way stops and opposed the change. Lang said the county would coordinate with zoning staff about vision‑triangle restrictions and that much of the vegetation in question appeared to be on private property; he noted options such as zoning enforcement or law enforcement outreach for compliance.

The committee voted to forward the all‑way stop proposal to the full County Board with a recommendation to adopt a resolution (or ordinance language) that would allow for enforcement if needed. The committee also requested staff monitor the intersection after installation and report back if crashes persist.

The action follows public comment from the village of Cronowater and an engineering study that recommended the change; the County Board must still consider and approve the measure before installation proceeds.