Commission recommends preserving westbound left at East Washington/Schmidimen in WisDOT North Stoughton Road environmental assessment

The Madison Transportation Commission unanimously recommended the Common Council adopt a resolution asking the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to retain the westbound left turn from East Washington Avenue onto Schmidimen Avenue as part of WisDOT’s North Stoughton Road environmental assessment.

Tom (staff/presenter) summarized WisDOT’s environmental assessment and a recent public hearing. He said WisDOT’s proposed design for the southwest quadrant would allow the eastbound left into Schmidimen but not a westbound left because of DOT concerns the movement could encourage development-related traffic that would increase queuing. Tom and staff noted the city had advocated for keeping an at‑grade solution that supports future redevelopment opportunities in the southwest quadrant.

The draft resolution asks WisDOT to preserve the westbound left and to retain the existing marked crosswalk with a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB), recognizing that future traffic conditions could require partial signalization. Commissioners discussed whether alder sponsorship would be required to amend the resolution at council; staff said any alder can present amendments. Commissioner Robbie moved to recommend the resolution to the Common Council; Ald. McKinney seconded. The chair called for unanimous consent; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff and commissioners said written public comments on the WisDOT environmental assessment would be accepted through April 17, and one public hearing was held at Madison College the prior evening. The commission asked staff to include pedestrian crossing preservation language in the council resolution; that language appears in the draft resolution presented to the commission.