Madison council approves stop signs on Vaughn Drive after traffic study and public concern

The Madison City Council voted to advance and adopt Ordinance 2025-9, establishing three-way stop signs at the intersections of Vaughn Drive & Jefferson and Vaughn Drive & Broadway, citing pedestrian safety near Crystal Beach and Bicentennial Park.

The item stemmed from a traffic study of Vaughn Drive conducted last September. Police and staff said the study found roughly 3,000 vehicles per weekday on the corridor and a substantial portion traveling above the speed limit; Police Chief Scudder noted, "there's 20 clocked to doing over 75 miles an hour." The council and chief said adding stop signs and painted crosswalks will direct pedestrians to safer crossing points and reduce vehicle speeds near event and pool areas.

Council members discussed implementation details and enforcement. Chief Scudder said the department will run a public-awareness campaign, place officers to increase visibility and issue warnings initially, then start issuing citations once motorists adjust. A council member said no flashing lights or other special hardware are planned; the city will install standard stop signs and painted crosswalks. Officials also noted some pavement-marking changes occur when roads are repaved and that longer-term measures (raised crosswalks, daylighted corners) are considered in larger reconstruction projects.

Members of the public urged stronger enforcement and visibility. Resident Melissa Gaeth said she frequently sees people run stop signs on Mulberry Street and asked what will make drivers stop; she recounted encountering golf carts, skateboarders and pedestrians on darkened streets at night. Pam Coker asked whether video of violations submitted to police can result in fines; the chief replied that photos and video with readable license plates or clear vehicle descriptions make enforcement possible but social-media posts alone are not monitored by police. Resident Gary Burdett recommended raised crosswalks and daylighting corners to protect pedestrians; staff noted those measures are typically deployed as part of larger reconstruction projects.

Councilman Joel Storm moved to suspend the rules and advance the ordinance to second reading; the motion passed on roll call and the council adopted Ordinance 2025-9 on second reading. Roll-call voting recorded affirmative votes from Patrick (as recorded during roll call), Carla Krebs, Josh Schafer, Joel Storm and Josh Wilbur; two council members were listed as absent. The city said it aims to install the signs before Crystal Beach opens for the summer season.

Implementation steps the council and staff described include installing stop signs and painted crosswalks, a short-term public-information push (press and social media), visible officer presence to slow traffic and phased enforcement. Staff also encouraged residents to report recurring problem locations through the police department nonemergency number (265-3347) so enforcement and resources can be prioritized.

The ordinance and traffic study will be posted with council materials; Chief Scudder agreed to circulate the traffic-safety study to council on request. The council did not adopt special traffic-calming hardware (speed tables or flashing beacons) as part of this ordinance.

Ending: The stop signs are intended to reduce vehicle speeds and guide pedestrians to defined crossings on Vaughn Drive. Council and staff said further traffic-calming measures could be considered in future paving and reconstruction projects.