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Middleton committee leans toward median-focused design for High Road reconstruction
Summary
The Public Works Committee signaled support for a median-centered typical section for High Road’s 2027 reconstruction — favoring 10-foot travel lanes, a 14-foot median and protected bike lanes — and asked staff to advance that concept to Plan Commission and a preliminary cost estimate.
On March 23 the City of Middleton Public Works Committee reviewed design options for High Road ahead of its planned 2027 reconstruction and indicated support for a median-focused concept that staff and the consultant said would slow traffic and provide space for protected bike lanes.
Dan Perry, design consultant with Verbecker, walked the committee through two broad options: keep the existing curb-to-curb section (10–12-foot travel lanes with bike lanes and no median) or adopt a boulevard-style median section. “With the median option, um, we decided to go with the 10‑ft travel lane, a two‑ft bike lane buffer, and then a 5‑ft bike lane. Um, and then your 14 foot wide median,” Perry said, noting the median allows for left‑turn lanes at key intersections and room for landscaping.
Committee members and staff discussed guidance from the facility development manual and complete‑streets recommendations about lane widths. Staff noted the complete‑streets approach favors narrower travel lanes (10 feet) on lower‑volume collectors to discourage speeding and increase comfort for cyclists. Alder Myers, who was excused but submitted comments, cited Middleton Police Department speed data showing persistent speeding on High Road and urged design choices that maximize speed reduction while keeping protected bike lanes.
Members said a left‑turn lane at Bell Fontaine (the high‑use intersection identified in the project materials) would likely be appropriate if the median is adopted. Staff said the project will go to the Plan Commission next and, if supported, return to Public Works with preliminary design and cost estimates at the April meeting.
Why this matters: High Road is a scheduled reconstruction corridor and the committee’s direction shapes the consultant’s next design phase — choices about lane widths, medians and turn lanes affect travel speeds, bicycle facilities and right‑of‑way impacts. The committee’s informal direction was to advance the median option with 10‑foot travel lanes, a 14‑foot median, and a left‑turn lane at Bell Fontaine for further design and cost evaluation.
What’s next: Staff will present refined plans and cost estimates after Plan Commission review; no final approval was taken at this meeting.
