Public information meeting scheduled May 13 for US 2/WIS 13 intersection in Bayfield County

May 5, 2008

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has scheduled a public involvement meeting to discuss proposed improvements to the US 2/WIS 13 intersection in Bayfield County. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center located at 29270 County Highway G, Ashland from 5 - 8 p.m. The meeting will be an open house format with a short formal presentation at 6 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide information on the proposed improvements, review the alternatives being considered, and to obtain input that will assist the department in further development and refinement of the alternatives.

A study of 10 alternatives was performed in 2007. Two alternatives have risen to the top for consideration, a roundabout alternative and a signalized intersection. Between these two, the roundabout alternative provides the highest level of safety improvement with regards to eliminating death or injury accidents. For that reason, WisDOT is recommending a roundabout for that intersection.

This first meeting is to provide local officials and the general public with good information on roundabouts and how they work. Properly designed roundabouts are proving to be far superior to signalized intersections in many locations around the state.

WisDOT will be performing more intensive design activities on the two top alternatives over the next several months. We want the public and the review agencies to be fully aware of the impacts of each alternative before deciding which one will be constructed. WisDOT expects to make the final decision in early 2009.

The intersection is currently scheduled to be reconstructed in 2011.

For more information, contact:
Phil Keppers, WisDOT Project Manager
715-395-3027, philip.keppers@dot.state.wi.us
 
Chris Ouellette, WisDOT Regional Communications Manager
715-833-9814, chris.ouellette@dot.state.wi.us