Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the High Road Design topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middleton planners debate medians, sidewalks and lane widths in High Road redesign
Summary
Commissioners reviewed two High Road cross‑section concepts and pushed staff to preserve a continuous west‑side sidewalk, prioritize pedestrian refuges and present two refined options (14‑ft median with 10‑ft lanes; or no median with pedestrian refuges and wider terraces).
Middleton planners spent substantial time on March 24 evaluating typical cross sections for High Road as development advances northward. Commissioners emphasized pedestrian continuity, transit accommodation and roadway character as the core tradeoffs.
Consultant Dan Perry and city staff presented a preferred section that includes 10‑ft travel lanes, a 14‑ft planted median and multi‑use path on the east, and an alternate reduced section that narrows some terraces to maintain a continuous west‑side sidewalk. Commissioners repeatedly stressed that the west sidewalk must remain continuous to serve school walkers and neighborhood residents.
Debate turned to whether medians or wider terraces better achieve complete‑streets goals. Supporters of medians noted the refuge and tree‑planting benefits that slow drivers and provide shade; critics warned that medians can encourage higher throughput for turning traffic and might not fit space constraints in all locations. Commissioners asked staff to study two refined alternatives for the preliminary design: (1) 10‑ft travel lanes with a 14‑ft median (preferred cross section today) and (2) 10‑ft travel lanes with no median, enlarged terraces and pedestrian refuges placed at intersections.
Other issues raised: appropriate posted speed (discussion favored 25 mph but staff said procedural studies may be required), transit clearances for buses (Metro Transit recommends 11‑ft widths where possible), raised crosswalks or RRFBs at key locations, and how to terminate the multi‑use path safely at the north end near apartments.
What’s next: staff will present the two alternate cross‑section options and transitional details at preliminary design and coordinate with Public Works on right‑of‑way and WisDOT guidance.
