Council approves resurfacing agreement for Shawano Avenue, directs staff to pursue intersection redesign with DOT

The Green Bay Common Council approved an agreement on Oct. 7 with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to resurface Shawano Avenue from Monroe to Taylor and directed city staff to continue conversations with DOT about the timing and a design study of the Oakland-Shawano intersection.

Alder Johnson, who moved approval, said DOT is conducting two separate projects on Shawano Avenue: a resurfacing from Monroe to Taylor and a larger reconstruction (with underground work) covering the stretch west of Oakland to Hudson. Johnson said the reconstruction currently appears scheduled for 2031 and council members asked DOT to consider moving that work earlier or to provide a temporary resurfacing at state expense to address near-term pavement concerns.

Johnson said he had asked staff to pursue an evaluation of the Oakland-Shawano intersection "to see improvements to the design of that intersection," citing a history of accidents and a prior fatality. "It has a really tight bend, that has sometimes landed cars in yards," Johnson said.

Chief Faulds and other staff participated in earlier meetings with DOT, Alders Johnson and Prophet said; the mayor also described taking the state transportation secretary down Shawano Avenue to point out the concerns. The motion to approve the resurfacing agreement included direction that staff continue discussions with DOT about how to address safety and timing.

The motion passed with the ayes recorded; council members expressed hope DOT could accelerate work into the late 2020s rather than the 2031 timeline then cited. Councilors also noted the road is a state highway, and that scheduling and funding rest with the state DOT.

Council recorded the motion as approved and asked staff to report back on options for a temporary resurfacing and on any feasible design changes for the Oakland-Shawano intersection.