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Council leans toward enhanced intersection over roundabout for Highway 13 project after DOT reconsiders option
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Summary
After the Wisconsin DOT retracted a proposed roundabout for the Highway 13 intersection near Tractor Supply as out of scope and over budget, city staff briefed the council on two design options and estimated a roundabout would cost about $1.6 million with $820,000 in additional local costs; council members raised concerns about property impacts, semi-truck navigation and cost, and generally favored an enhanced intersection.
City staff told the Common Council that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has reconsidered a proposed roundabout for the Highway 13 intersection near Tractor Supply and now views the roundabout as out of scope and over budget.
Joe, a city staff member, summarized the project history and cost estimates. “It was going to be about 1,600,000.0 for that roundabout with about 820,000 being additional costs above the originally scoped project,” he said, noting the additional cost would likely be split between the city and county if pursued.
Council members discussed two options the DOT presented earlier: an enhanced, signalized intersection with wider radii and turn lanes, or a roundabout. Supporters said roundabouts can improve traffic flow and safety in the right locations; opponents raised several concerns, including proximity to an existing signalized intersection, potential property acquisition, impacts to nearby businesses (including Sportsman's Pub), and difficulties for semi-trailers navigating a tight roundabout footprint.
One council member argued that semis “will be taking up two lanes” in a roundabout and expressed doubt that drivers could safely navigate a roundabout followed shortly by a signalized intersection. Others pointed to the project’s cost and uncertainty about county funding as reasons to favor the enhanced intersection option.
The council agreed not to take a formal vote at the meeting but several members signaled opposition to the roundabout and support for pursuing the enhanced-intersection option. The mayor said there was no need to vote and thanked members for their input; county official Roland Hawk was noted as still favoring a roundabout and would await the city’s decision before proceeding.
The council previously approved the public works committee minutes while holding out item 12 for discussion; the hold-out motion (to approve the minutes but hold item 12) was made by Pompkins and carried 8-0. Staff said the city would continue coordination with the county and DOT to determine scope and funding before any formal change in design.
