WisDOT announces US 2/WIS 13 intersection decision

September 12, 2007

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has announced that it has made its decision on a preferred alternative for the intersection of US 2 and WIS 13 west of Ashland.

WisDOT Northwest Regional Director Don Gutkowski today announced that the Department is recommending a roundabout be constructed at the current “T”-intersection.

“After considering 10 different alternatives and getting feedback from area residents, we have concluded that the roundabout alternative provides the highest level of safety, while minimizing potential impacts to the surrounding area,” said Gutkowski.

Last year, WisDOT hired an independent engineering consultant who conducted a Road Safety Audit of the intersection. From that, the ten different alternatives were developed.

A public meeting on the alternatives was held on May 30. Copies of the alternative analysis report were also placed at the two local public libraries for 60 days to allow the public to review and provide comment.

Two alternatives rose to the surface as being effective treatments to address safety, minimizing potential environmental impacts, and being more cost effective:  One being a roundabout, the second would involve making geometric changes and potentially adding signals to minimize potential conflicts.

The roundabout was chosen as the preferred alternative because statistics indicate a roundabout would provide a higher level of safety than a traditional intersection at this location.

WisDOT will now begin with environmental documentation and preliminary design of the project.  An application will be submitted for the Department’s Safety Improvement Program, which could potentially provide approximately $500,000 of the estimated $850,000 cost of the roundabout.

“We would like to thank the members of the local stakeholder group that have worked with us throughout this investigation process, our local elected officials, and the many members of the community who have come to the meetings and shared their thoughts with us,” said Gutkowski. “Their help and feedback was instrumental in developing a solution that will greatly improve the safety and enhance the gateway to the Chequamegon Bay area.”

For more information, contact:
Mike Ostrenga, Operations Supervisor 
(715) 392-7945

Morris Luke, Traffic Engineer  
(715) 392-7886