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Council approves 4-way stop at Westtown Avenue and Brad Street after neighborhood request
Summary
Following constituent requests and a committee referral, the council voted 12–1 to convert the neighborhood intersection at Westtown Avenue and Brad Street to a four-way stop; traffic staff had recommended a different two-way stop configuration based on MUTCD guidance.
The Common Council voted 12–1 on June 17 to convert the intersection of Westtown Avenue and Brad Street in the West Town neighborhood from a two-way stop to a four-way stop following requests from area residents and a committee recommendation.
The item originated from neighborhood residents who asked the council to slow traffic on a route used to cut through to Grandview. The referral emerged from committee with a 4–1 committee vote in favor of the four-way stop.
City traffic staff and the city’s traffic engineering consultant advised that, from an engineering perspective and based on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) criteria and WisDOT guidance, the intersection did not meet the technical warrants for a four-way stop. Traffic staff recommended flipping the two-way stop (so Westtown would stop instead of Brad Street) rather than establishing a four-way stop. Brandon, representing traffic engineering, said the consultant’s warrant analysis found that MUTCD criteria for a four-way stop were not met and noted that recent MUTCD language discourages use of stop signs solely for speed control.
Despite the staff recommendation, several aldermen said they were persuaded by neighborhood sentiment and the district alderman’s advocacy. Alderman Rick Lemke and Alderman Matthews both said they had driven the intersection and supported the four-way stop. The council motion to convert the intersection to a four-way stop passed 12–1.
