Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Waukesha council approves overhead stop signs, flags for Guthrie–Sunset intersection
Summary
The Waukesha Common Council approved installation of permanent overhead stop-sign arms and flags on Sunset Drive at Guthrie Road, with the city covering concrete costs and public works to continue evaluating further changes.
The Waukesha Common Council voted Tuesday to install permanent overhead stop-sign arms with flags on Sunset Drive at Guthrie Road and to have staff continue reviewing longer-term intersection improvements.
The move followed public comments from two neighbors who urged permanent changes after drivers repeatedly ignored the existing stop sign. John Thomas, a resident of 134 Douglas, said, "Anybody that runs that stop sign is either drunk out of their mind or they're blind." Resident Daryl Enriquez said he supported "an overhead, lighted flashing stop sign like the one at Whittier School" and asked the council to avoid another fatality.
Alderman Eric Payne said public works found the city already had the arms and mountings in stock and that the immediate cost would be limited to concrete for the bases. A staff member identified in the meeting as Alex said the city garage "do[es] have parts for installing a post and arms that would overhang the stop signs" and noted the city did not have flashing signs on hand but could add them later.
Payne moved to install the overhead arms and stop signs in both eastbound and westbound directions; Alderman Matthews seconded with the addition of flags on the signs. Council members clarified the installation would not preclude future work, such as a center median and an additional center stop sign, and that public works would continue to explore funding partnerships, including reaching out to Waukesha County and other cost-share sources.
The motion passed unanimously.
Council members discussed next steps and potential funding. Alderman Piper noted Minooka Park — a Waukesha County facility adjacent to the intersection — contributes to traffic there and suggested pursuing county cost-sharing. Public works said it will seek other funding sources for future enhancements.
The installation described by staff is limited to overhead sign arms, standard stop signs, and flags; flashing signs were discussed as a possible later addition. The council directed staff to keep reviewing the intersection and consider medians and other capital improvements in future CIP discussions.
The council removed the Sunset and Guthrie item from the consent agenda for separate consideration before taking the motion. The council recorded the motion as passing unanimously.
