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Board reopens discussion, delays action on DOT agreement for Grand Avenue intersection bump-outs
Summary
Board members reviewed a state municipal agreement with DOT to add curb bump-outs at Grand Avenue and Webster Street aimed at improving pedestrian safety; the board tabled action and staff will meet DOT engineers and may do additional traffic study in September.
The Board of Public Works on June 10 discussed, but did not act on, a State Municipal Agreement (SMA) with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to add curb bump-outs at Grand Avenue (State Highway 32) and North Webster Street.
Rob, a city staff member, told the board the SMA was previously approved at the Board’s last meeting but that concerns surfaced at the general government and finance committee about traffic impacts. The improvements are intended to improve pedestrian safety because drivers who stop for pedestrians have been bypassed on the right at speed, creating near misses and pedestrian accidents.
Rob said the project is programmed for 2029 and that staff will meet DOT engineers to discuss concerns and timing; if necessary staff will run additional traffic counts in early September outside school hours to provide a fuller analysis before returning to the board and finance committee. “The intention of these improvements is to, improve pedestrian safety in this area,” Rob said. He added staff will seek enough information so the board can be comfortable supporting the plan.
Board members voiced support for pedestrian safety while acknowledging possible occasional traffic backups, and some members said perceived safety—parents' willingness to let children walk—was a key consideration. No formal action or vote was taken; staff will meet with DOT and may bring revised analysis back to the board for action later.
