Committee awards crossing safety contract to Benton Construction for Erie Ave at N. 13th

The Sheboygan City Public Works Committee on July 27 authorized a contract with Benton Construction to install a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) with an overhead signal arm at the Erie Avenue and North 13th Street trail crossing.

Kevin, the city’s presenter on the item, said design work was completed by MSA and the city received bids; the recommended contract will allow the work to be scheduled this fall. He described the installation as similar in function to other RRFB installations in the city but with an overhead pole and trombone arm to improve visibility for a four-lane crossing.

“We’re also gonna improve some curb ramps ... we’re gonna try something new on this one. New to us is we’re gonna use green pavement marking for the crosswalk to help draw attention,” Kevin said, describing a yield-style stop bar and other treatments intended to increase driver awareness.

Alder Boris thanked staff and noted that some of the sidewalk-improvement funds used for the project came from excess unspent money from previous years; staff said the sidewalk program allocation was increased this year from about $200,000 to $290,000 using unspent funds, which created capacity to fund the crossing while maintaining the annual sidewalk program.

Alder Kelly asked whether the beacon could be triggered automatically for users on scooters or bicycles so they would not have to dismount to push a button; staff said they would look into automatic triggering but that, in this specific installation, the push buttons are located close to the trail edge and automatic detection may be more complicated.

The committee approved the contract authorization by voice vote. Staff said the work will be scheduled and pursued with the selected contractor and that further implementation details will be reported back to the committee.