Oshkosh committee recommends lowering Whitsall Avenue speed limit to 30 mph

The Transportation Committee voted unanimously to recommend reducing the posted speed limit on Whitsall Avenue from 35 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour and to forward that recommendation to the Winnebago County highway commissioner and the Oshkosh Common Council.

The move follows a citizen petition and extended discussion about recent residential development along Whitsall and safety concerns raised by residents of Havenwood Lake Apartments. Nancy Decker, a resident of Havenwood Lake Apartments, told the committee, "Our concerns have to do with the traffic risk of exiting our complex's driveway while merging into the speeding traffic on Whitsall." She added that drivers frequently travel "45 or more" approaching the intersection, and urged a limit reduction and increased enforcement.

Committee members and staff said the corridor has changed since the original speed was set: more multi‑family housing and businesses have increased driveway entries and pedestrian exposure. Staff noted a previous speed study found the 85th percentile speed was "a little over 35" and that most recorded crashes in the area have been intersection related. Committee members said a 30 mph limit would align Whitsall with other similar four‑lane arterials in the city.

Because part of Whitsall is county jurisdiction, the committee chair asked that the recommendation be transmitted to the Winnebago County highway commissioner for review; committee members also agreed to send the change to city council to amend the city ordinance if the county committee supports the change. Staff explained the jurisdictional split occurs at West Haven: east of West Haven is city jurisdiction, west of West Haven lies in county/township jurisdiction and will require county action to change signs on that segment.

During public comment, Decker pressed for a 25 mph limit; the committee and staff said 25 would likely be ‘‘artificially low’’ for a four‑lane arterial and could pose enforcement challenges, so they settled on recommending 30 mph. The committee recorded a roll call vote with Armstrong, Merritt, Lynch, Hartman and Martin voting aye; the motion passed.

Next steps: staff will forward the committee recommendation to the county highway commissioner, who will consider it at his transportation committee; if the county committee approves, the matter will appear before the Oshkosh Common Council for two readings and adoption.