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Platteville council directs 8-foot rebuild of Pine Street pedestrian islands, adds crosswalk and signage
Summary
After debate over pedestrian safety and snow-plow efficiency, the Platteville Common Council voted to replace Pine Street islands with 8-foot islands, add a painted crosswalk at Court Street and place 'Yield to Pedestrians' signage at the Oak Street island.
The Platteville Common Council on July 8 approved a plan to rebuild three pedestrian islands on Pine Street as 8-foot islands, add a painted crosswalk at Court Street and place a 'Yield to Pedestrians' sign on the Oak Street island.
Public Works Director Howard described damage to the islands caused during excavation related to a water-main repair and outlined three options: (1) remove all three islands and replace with flat sidewalks (base bid), (2) restore 12-foot islands (most like-for-like), and (3) replace islands with 8-foot islands. He said the Safe Routes Committee’s recommendation was to keep the islands at 12 feet "that this project must include maintaining the 3 existing 12 foot wide pedestrian islands, basically, as is," but presented estimated additional costs for narrower or full replacement options.
Councilmembers debated tradeoffs between pedestrian safety and winter maintenance. Council member Tom emphasized the committee’s safety analysis and public input, while Bob Gates and others noted plow operation time and limited use of some islands. Gates moved to direct staff to remove and replace all three Pine Street islands with 8-foot islands, add painted crosswalks (including at Court Street), and install signage on the Oak Street island; Kathy Kopp seconded the motion.
The presiding officer called the roll and announced, "Motion carries." The council did not record a detailed roll-call tally in the meeting transcript; the motion was entered as carried and staff were directed to implement the work through the current contract and CIP coordination.
The council also asked staff to consider additional, low-cost safety measures such as painted crossings and pedestrian-activated beacons as part of future safety enhancements. Public Works indicated the 8-foot islands are intended to preserve pedestrian refuge space while easing constraints on plow equipment and reducing ongoing landscape maintenance in a high-salt environment.
Next steps: staff will carry out the contract work to replace the islands as directed and incorporate the crosswalk and Oak Street signage; council members will monitor installation and related CIP implications during the 2026 planning process.
