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Marquette County reports 70 crashes so far in 2026; committee outlines safety projects and construction plans
Summary
The Traffic Safety Committee reviewed local crash data — 70 crashes with 16 injuries and one medical-related fatality — and received updates on statewide fatality trends, planned highway resurfacing on I‑39, county road projects, a possible HSIP funding application for a crash-prone intersection, and safety outreach including a speed trailer deployment and a May 9 school bus exercise.
Marquette County officials reported 70 crashes so far in 2026, including 16 injuries and one fatality, during an April 1 meeting of the Traffic Safety Committee in Montello.
The minutes record that the single fatality occurred in January on State Trunk Highway 82 at 4th Drive and was described as medical-related. Committee member Trace Frost reported statewide preliminary totals of 541 fatalities in Wisconsin in 2025 and 72 fatalities so far in 2026. The committee noted April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and highlighted upcoming safety events.
Committee members were told the county will deploy a speed trailer starting the week of the meeting and that a full-scale school bus exercise is scheduled for May 9, 2026. Highway construction updates included planned resurfacing of southbound Interstate 39 from Fawn Court to the Columbia County line (about 12+ miles) beginning in May and continuing into October with a planned 55 mph work-zone limit and rest-area closures for the summer. County Road E will receive a five-mile pavement-improvement project starting in August to widen pavement, add rumble strips and warning signage; County Road P drainage work is scheduled for April–May with paving in July–August.
The committee discussed that a high number of crashes at State Road 22 and County Road J could qualify the intersection for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding, but any HSIP approval would not occur until after 2031. No HSIP application timeline or funding amount was presented at the April 1 meeting.
Other items: Deputy Aaron Williams announced that heavy-weight restrictions will be lifted on county roads April 6, 2026; a Weather Spotter class is scheduled for April 24, 2026; Williams and another deputy have provided buggy-operation safety classes to Amish schools. Committee member Sarah Jensen reported a recent Westfield High School survey showing 25 of 100 students not wearing seatbelts. Committee member Michael Kohnke said he has not yet received DNR information for a project at Krakow Park and recommended contacting Pat Kilbey for updates. Chair Mike Kowalski asked members to report July 4 and other summer events for planning purposes.
The meeting adjourned at 10:32 a.m. The next Traffic Safety Committee meeting is scheduled for July 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
