Ashwaubenon board awards $135,163 bid for rapid flashing beacons at Cormier and Holmgren, asks staff to explore added safety features

The Village Board of the Village of Ashwaubenon on Tuesday approved a $135,163 bid to install two rectangular rapid flashing beacons at the Cormier Road and Holmgren Way crossings, and directed staff to evaluate possible additional safety measures such as enhanced pavement markings and lighting.

The award went to Bodard Electric after trustees voted to approve the contract and add language authorizing staff to examine and, if advisable, add safety upgrades. President Kardoskee made the motion to award the contract; a trustee seconded and the board voted to carry the motion.

Board members and staff said the lights are being added because they expect higher pedestrian volumes where new apartment parking will serve both the EPIC Events Center and Capital Credit Union Park. Brian Rickert, a public works presenter, said the crosswalk area is a four‑lane road and noted the project stems from earlier committee review: “We wanted to get ahead of the problem that could potentially be there as we look to add this development in the Northeast corner of Holmgren And Cormier.”

Rickert and other staff described the chosen design as a value‑engineered alternative to the expensive “Cadillac” beacon used elsewhere in the village. Joel Grigaszewski, speaking for administrative staff, said the Ridge Road installation is roughly $300,000 while the two beacons now proposed total about $130,000, achieved by using simpler poles and components.

Staff and trustees discussed features that could be added after award via change orders — items such as ladder‑style crosswalk markings, yield (triangular “shark’s‑tooth”) pavement symbols required by state rules, additional lighting or overhead arms that better signal the center lane. Administrative staff noted that the actual board action was the bid award; changes to the design could be handled as change orders or returned to the board for further direction if desired.

Trustees asked that Brian Rickert review final design details and confirm whether the specification should be upgraded before installation. Trustee Flucke said she was comfortable awarding the bid while allowing staff to consider enhanced features later: “Award this bid and then understand that we're looking for additional safety features.”

The board approved the motion with the added direction that staff look at additional items to improve pedestrian visibility and safety as appropriate.

Staff referenced the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as the baseline for lawful markings and noted municipalities can adopt typical specification manuals that go beyond minimum MUTCD guidance to achieve higher visibility standards.

The vote carried with the motion passed, and staff will proceed with contract execution and follow‑up on scope changes as needed.