Committee backs hybrid design for State Highway 52 (E. Wausau Ave.), adopting center turn lane downtown and multiuse path to the east

The City of Wausau Infrastructure and Facilities Committee on Aug. 14 adopted a split approach to the State Highway 52 (East Wausau Avenue) reconstruction, voting to install a continuous two‑to‑one center turn lane from Sixth Street to Thirteenth Street and to transition to a section with separated travel lanes and a 10‑foot south‑side multiuse path from Thirteenth Street to Eighteenth Street. The committee’s action followed several hours of public comment and technical briefing by city staff and the project consultants.

The committee’s decision implements safety and multimodal goals raised during earlier public meetings and by the Wausau Metropolitan Planning Organization. Chair Hinkie said the intent was to balance “safety hot spots” with bicycle and pedestrian connectivity included in local plans. Alder Larson moved the initial recommendation in favor of Alternative A2 (continuous two‑to‑one), Alder Martins seconded; Alder Watson successfully moved and secured amendments that introduced the transition east of Thirteenth Street. The final motion passed 3–1.

Why it matters: The corridor serves local schools and businesses and has a history of rear‑end crashes between Sixth and Thirteenth Street. The adopted hybrid design prioritizes a continuous center turn…