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Committee forwards ordinance to allow ATV/UTV use on State Highway 33 through Allenton to county board
Summary
The Public Works Committee voted to recommend county board approval of an ordinance to allow all-terrain and utility-terrain vehicles on a stretch of State Highway 33 in Allenton under a state statutory exception; the town must adopt an identical ordinance for the connection to take effect.
WASHINGTON COUNTY — The Washington County Public Works Committee voted to forward an ordinance to the full county board that would allow all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and utility-terrain vehicles (UTV) to use a short stretch of State Highway 33 through Allenton to connect across Interstate 41.
Scott Schmidt (Highway Department staff) explained the proposal and related state rules. By statute, Scott said, “if it’s 35 or less, it’s automatically allowed” for ATV/UTV use on a state highway; the ordinance before the committee would use a statutory exception to permit ATV/UTV use on the higher-speed segment between Church Street and County Highway W that crosses I‑41.
Supervisor Ms. Pollock moved the recommendation and Supervisor Hartwick seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote: “All approved, say aye,” the chair called; members replied “Aye” and the motion carried. The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript.
Schmidt told the committee the Wisconsin Department of Transportation responded to county inquiries and indicated the connection could be allowed under the exception. He said the county adopted multiple ATV/UTV routes and connection points several years earlier (seven routes and 10 connection locations), and this ordinance would add the Allenton link if the town adopts the identical ordinance. The town chairman has agreed to place a matching measure on the town agenda; the county and town must both adopt the same ordinance language for the route to take effect.
Committee members asked about safety history. Scott said he was not aware of on-road crashes tied to ATV/UTV use on county roads and noted crash data will be incorporated into community maps for future reference. The sheriff’s office was noted as the primary responder for crash records; staff recommended including any available crash data in the backup materials when the ordinance goes to the full county board.
The committee’s vote sends the ordinance and accompanying materials to the full county board for final action; staff emphasized that identical town approval is required for the connection point to be implemented.
