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Panel backs preliminary design work for Southtown Drive roundabout and pavement replacement
Summary
Engineers presented a preliminary concept to simplify the Southtown Drive roundabout, replace aging pavement, and consider a left-turn relief lane at Royal Avenue; the committee endorsed continued design and inclusion in the capital budget.
The committee voted to advance preliminary engineering for improvements at the Southtown Drive roundabout and surrounding pavement, endorsing the concept for inclusion in the upcoming capital budget and directing staff to continue design work and DOT coordination.
John (lead engineer, Strand Associates) and Kyle Henderson (traffic modeling) presented modeling and site work. Janice Lawrence of Strand Associates described a recommended “modified single-lane” roundabout that retains two southbound approach lanes that merge to a single lane through most of the circle; the concept narrows portions of the outside concrete and adjusts curb lines to channelize drivers and reduce confusion. Lawrence said the modified single-lane option “functioned best for the modeling” compared with a full dual-lane roundabout given right-of-way constraints.
Engineers reported traffic counts showing about 800 vehicles heading southbound into the roundabout and roughly 220 vehicles that currently make a U-turn to return to Royal Avenue; adding a southbound left-turn relief at Royal could remove a substantial portion of that turning movement and reduce roundabout volume during construction and long term. The panel discussed the left-turn option’s proximity to state highway ramps and agreed staff must confer with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) during final design.
The concept also calls for pavement work: removing existing concrete pavement and concrete crosswalks north of the exit and replacing those sections with asphalt, conducting a 2-inch mill-and-overlay where appropriate, and doing full-depth replacements in failing areas. Staff emphasized the goal of limiting storm-sewer and utility relocations to keep costs down and of planning construction staging because the area is busy.
Committee directions included continuing preliminary design into the capital budget process, refining construction staging and traffic-control plans, and initiating discussions with DOT about the Royal Avenue left-turn relief. The committee approved a motion to proceed with the concept and for staff to present cost estimates and a draft capital request in the coming budget cycle.
