Council rejects Infrastructure committee esign for State Highway 52 (East Wausau Avenue) after hours of debate

The Wausau Common Council on Sept. 9 rejected a design recommendation for State Highway 52 (East Wausau Avenue) between North Sixth and North Eighteenth streets, voting 5-6 after more than two hours of public and council debate.

The Infrastructure & Facilities committee had forwarded a blended design that would add a two-way left-turn lane (a "twiddle") from Sixth to Thirteenth Street, include bike lanes on the roadway, and a multiuse path on the south side from Thirteenth to Eighteenth. Supporters said the twiddle would address a high rate of rear-end crashes in the corridor. Opponents said the committee process did not sufficiently explore alternatives, that the design would require property takings in places, and that the city had not done a recent speed study.

Jonathan Smith, a resident and chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, asked the council not to endorse the committee recommendation. "Iam asking that you do not endorse the A2 or the A2 and C1 design proposals and ask for better for our citizens," Smith said during public comment.

Several alderpersons said they were sympathetic to safety goals…