Committee approves pursuit of flashing beacons and visibility upgrades for Seventeenth Avenue crosswalk after near-hit and dog injury

The Wausau Infrastructure and Facilities Committee voted May 8 to pursue rapid flashing beacons and other visibility improvements at the Seventeenth Avenue/Garfield Avenue crossing after a neighborhood resident described a recent incident in which a vehicle struck her dog while a family member narrowly avoided being hit.

Paula Schultz, who said she has lived in the neighborhood for more than 30 years, told the committee that in April a driver admitted to traveling about 40 mph when the vehicle struck the family’s dog as the group approached the crosswalk to enter Marathon Park. Schultz said the family has incurred nearly $3,000 in veterinary bills and that police previously conducted a pedestrian-safety survey and concluded foot traffic did not warrant upgrades at that time.

Schultz asked the committee to pursue higher-visibility crosswalk markings, “state law” reminder signage, flashing lights and other traffic-calming measures and said she no longer feels safe crossing there. Committee members and staff discussed the site’s current markings: Public Works staff said the crossing is a marked pedestrian crossing with crosshatch markings and pedestrian-warning signs and that it had been repainted recently. Still, members noted shortcomings, including varying posted speeds on adjacent blocks (25 mph in one block, 35 mph in another) and worn pavement markings.

Alder Larson moved to pursue flashing beacons and other safety measures and to seek a budget modification this year if the committee wished to install equipment in the current year; Alder Neal seconded. Alder Watson raised the likely cost and said an immediate budget modification would be needed if the committee wanted to install beacons this year; staff estimated a ballpark figure in discussion but no exact contract amount was finalized during the meeting. The motion carried by voice vote.

Staff said the city will also engage the City’s bike-and-pedestrian committee on longer-term options such as reflective paint, pavement-level reflectors and other walkability improvements. Staff noted Seventeenth Avenue is on the city’s multi-year list for resurfacing and that pedestrian accommodations could be further improved when that project occurs; staff did not provide a firm resurfacing year at the meeting. The committee directed staff to return with refined options and cost estimates for committee and budget-review consideration.

The discussion combined public safety testimony, staff technical information on markings and a funding-pathway conversation. The committee approved pursuing short-term visibility and beacon solutions while also considering longer-term corridor improvements tied to resurfacing projects and federal/state funding opportunities.