DOT presents two roundabout alternatives for Griffith/A Street intersection; committee hears cost and timing concerns
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Summary
City staff reported two roundabout alternatives for the Griffith Avenue and 8th Street intersection; DOT estimated about $800,000 for a standard intersection reconstruction and roughly double for a roundabout, with potential real‑estate impacts and possible schedule shifts from 2028 to 2029 if a roundabout is pursued.
City staff updated the Public Works Committee on two roundabout alternatives proposed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the Griffith Avenue and 8th Street intersection and discussed related right‑of‑way and timing implications.
Joe, a city staff member, said the unimproved A Street right‑of‑way has no current city plans and that the packet included exhibits showing two roundabout designs. He told the committee a standard intersection reconstruction with upgraded signals is valued at about $800,000, and “with the roundabout alternative, it's about double that.” He cautioned that the additional cost difference could include local real‑estate impacts and that some of those right‑of‑way costs might fall to local municipalities if the enhanced roundabout option is chosen.
Staff also said DOT conducted evaluations, including an analysis showing a single‑lane roundabout would be over capacity at this location and that the included exhibit models a double‑lane roundabout to maintain throughput. Joe said completing a roundabout evaluation and real‑estate analysis is ongoing and that final costs and impacts will be returned to the committee for a later decision.
Committee members and a public commenter asked whether comparable roundabouts have succeeded under similar traffic volumes and whether traffic counts and projections support a roundabout at this site. Joe said DOT’s work included level‑of‑service evaluations and that if service levels did not support a roundabout, it would not be recommended. He also said the A Street project is currently identified for construction in 2028 and pursuing a roundabout could push the south end of that project into 2029, depending on real‑estate negotiations and design changes.
No formal action was taken at this meeting; staff described the item as informational and said DOT will provide a fuller cost breakdown, real‑estate analysis and a public information meeting in the coming months.
