Engineers plan signal at Walmart intersection as Hansen property develops; committee weighs interim fixes

State highway staff told the Vernon County Traffic Safety Committee that a traffic signal is planned for the intersection near Walmart and Aldi as part of the Hansen property development, but that the signal will not be in place until the larger development and associated work are built.

“Kyle Schultz said the signal is set for 2027,” David, the committee chair, summarized during discussion. Kyle Schultz, a state engineer, confirmed the DOT has scheduled a traffic signal with the development timeline and said shoulder and tie-in projects are being considered for earlier phases.

City and county staff described interim ideas to improve traffic flow before the signal is installed, including restriping the southbound approach to create a dedicated left-turn lane into Aldi or Walmart and converting one through lane on North Main to a dedicated left-turn lane for the retail driveways. A city traffic official said moving a lane line and adding a solid white lane marking could give left-turning vehicles a protected lane without large construction.

Committee members also noted that Walmart managers are discussing moving the store’s semitrailer access to the north to reduce truck conflicts at the intersection; if that change proceeds it would affect which driveway improvements and who pays for them.

The meeting recorded no formal approval of design work or funding; members asked DOT and city staff to continue coordinating with the developers and to return with cost and timing details.