Transportation committee backs long median and signal at Sawyer Street–Oshkosh Avenue

The Oshkosh City Transportation Committee on Jan. 14 recommended Alternative 1F, a reconstruction of the Sawyer Street and Oshkosh Avenue intersection that adds a four-legged traffic signal and a longer median that would restrict some left-turn movements.

The recommendation follows a study presented by Kyle Henderson of Strand Associates that found the existing intersection is an atypical cluster of three closely spaced junctions whose geometry and yield-controlled movements contribute to congestion and crashes. Henderson said, “Yield controlled northbound right really doesn't work very well today. It's gonna keep getting worse as time goes on,” and argued that converting the intersection to a standard signal would improve operations and reduce crash risk.

The study reviewed crash data from 2019 through February 2023 and identified 35 crashes at the intersection, 19 of them rear-end collisions concentrated at three locations: the northbound yield-controlled right turn, an eastbound segment immediately west of Sawyer Street, and the eastbound through where Sawyer Street's northbound right meets Oshkosh Avenue. Strand developed three primary alternatives — a combined traffic signal, a full roundabout, and a three-legged roundabout with restricted access at Rainbow Drive — and several signal permutations. Staff and the consultant dismissed roundabouts because of pedestrian crossing complexity on Oshkosh Avenue, the proximity of the Fox River lift bridge (about 500 feet east), and the risk of queueing back into a roundabout when the lift bridge raises.

City staff described a phased schedule already reflected in the city's 2025 Capital Improvement Program: design funds are budgeted in 2026, potential land acquisitions in 2027, and construction in 2028. Henderson gave a preliminary construction cost estimate for the signal alternatives in the range of $2.5 million to $3 million. Staff noted the estimate covers construction only and does not include potential real estate acquisition costs.

Residents and business owners who spoke at the meeting raised concerns about driveway access and left-turn opportunities for heavy vehicles and trailers accessing the boat ramp and commercial properties west of the intersection. Scott Seaman, a resident who identified his address as 1325 and 1319 Oshkosh Ave., warned that restricting left turns could make it harder for drivers of semis or vehicles with trailers to exit driveways during peak congestion. Committee members and staff responded that Alternative 1F would allow drivers to make a right and then perform a U-turn at the new signal when necessary, and that it would reduce through-traffic and boat-trailer traffic in the adjacent neighborhood.

The committee's formal motion to recommend Alternative 1F was made by Mr. Eslinger and seconded by Mr. Armstrong. The roll-call vote was recorded as: Armstrong — yes; Merritt — yes; Hartman — yes; Eslinger — yes; Lynch — yes; Martin — yes. The motion carried.

Next steps discussed at the meeting included finalizing the selected alternative in the phase 1 Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) report and submitting it to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) for review because Oshkosh Avenue is State Trunk Highway 21. Staff said they plan to forward the committee recommendation to the Common Council at one of the next two council meetings so the preferred alternative can be incorporated into the ICE submittal to WisDOT.