Onalaska council opts to keep 2-way stop at County Road SS and 12th Avenue South for now

The Onalaska Common Council voted unanimously July 1 to retain the existing two‑way stop control at the County Road SS and 12th Avenue South intersection and to revisit control options when the SS reconstruction project returns to city consideration.

The decision followed a presentation by Public Works Director Jared Holter of an intersection control evaluation prepared to Wisconsin Department of Transportation standards by Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH). The report found the intersection currently meets operational and safety criteria under either the existing two‑way stop or a roundabout, and it noted that signal warrants are not met.

Holter told the council the study used traffic counts taken one and four years earlier to avoid skew from nearby Highway 16 construction and that the intersection operates at level‑of‑service B overall in the PM peak, with the southbound approach performing at LOS D during PM. The consultant summary said a roundabout would provide the best overall operations but is not required by existing warrants and would cost an estimated $1 million to $1.5 million to construct.

City Engineer Kevin Schubert said the intersection meets DOT engineering criteria as presently configured and that both the existing stop control and a roundabout are “good, viable engineering options.” He and Holter also noted only three crashes were recorded there over a five‑year period, a relatively low crash history that did not compel immediate safety improvements.

Councilmembers and residents raised traffic‑calming and truck‑traffic concerns. Alder Larry Jurasic, who lives nearby, said congestion is concentrated in two daily peaks and that a roundabout would calm traffic but could cause heavy trucks to downshift. Alder Jim Banash noted that the primary operational problem is vehicles on SS making left turns onto 12th South during PM congestion and expressed concern that a partial stop on one leg could create confusion. Holter and Schubert said a roundabout would likely require some property acquisition and driveway modifications at nearby parcels.

Rather than authorize a design for a roundabout now, the council adopted a motion “to keep it as status quo for right now and then at a later date, when County SS is redone or restructured, review whether stop signs or a roundabout are necessary,” with the motion moved and seconded and passing on a roll call vote.

The council and staff noted the SS repaving project is using Surface Transportation Program (STP) urban funds, is in state design, and is tentatively scheduled for bidding in 2029 with construction after that; adding right‑of‑way needs for a roundabout could add roughly one year to the timeline. Holter said the city will hold a public information meeting as part of design work for the SS reconstruction.

A public information and follow‑up process was discussed; the council asked staff to continue evaluating options and warned that a roundabout would have higher upfront costs and potential impacts to nearby homeowners.

The motion recorded was to maintain existing intersection control and to review control options during future SS project design. The vote was unanimous.