HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-2016 Traffic Safety Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
TRAFFIC SAFETY
July 20, 2016 10:00 AM
D203-EOC (Lower Level Government Center)
D203-EOC (Lower Level Government Center) - 1101 Carmichael Road,
Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived
Tim Ramberg St. Croix
County
Highway Commissioner Present
William Peavey St. Croix
County
County Board Supervisor Present
Eric Johnson St. Croix
County
Law, District Attorney Absent
Jeff Klatt St. Croix
County
Chair Present
Brian Erickson St. Croix
County
Sergeant Absent
Greg Helgeson St. Croix
County
Traffic Safety Engineer Present
JR Dachel St. Croix
County
Education Present
Matt Melby St. Croix
County
Medical Services Absent
Kristen Sailer St. Croix
County
Emergency Mangement
Coordinator
Present
Scott L. Cox St. Croix
County
Law Absent
Judy Achterhof St. Croix
County
County Board Supervisor Present
Randy
Wiessinger
St. Croix
County
Regional Program Excused
Robert J. Bott St. Croix
County
Regional Program Excused
Also present: Aaron Schults, Wisconsin State Patrol; Mitch Schaeppi, Wisconsin State
Patrol; Robert Unruh, Wisconsin State Patrol; and, Todd Rehnelt, Assistant Highway
Commissioner.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Traffic Safety – Regular Meeting – October 21, 2015 10:00 AM
Minutes were accepted as presented.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. State Patrol Laws of the Month
Randy Wiessinger was not present to review the January - March 2016 State Patrol Laws
of the Month; see handout. Discussed the "Safety devices required when towing trailers"
handout which will be added to the meeting packet.
2. Legislative Report
Tim Ramberg informed the Committee that coming in October, cell phone use will not be
allowed in work zones.
3. State Patrol Fatality & Traffic Report
Wisconsin State Patrol, Robert Unruh reviewed and discussed the handout.
4. St. Croix County Crash Report / Review
Jeff Klatt reported 4 fatalities for St. Croix County in 2016, handout provided.
5. 2016 State Highway Construction Projects - Update
Greg Helgeson presented information on various projects in the County, with added
discussion.
- I-94 / CTH T interchange (3-week interchange closure set for July 25th)
- I-94 / 200th Street (Bridge to be completed by end of July)
- I-94 / 233rd Street (Bridge to be completed by end of July, may reopen to traffic
this week)
- I-94 / CTH BB (Bridge to be completed by end of November, will close to
traffic once 233rd Street is reopened)
- STH 64 (St. Croix Crossing work continues with no traffic impacts - awaiting a
fall 2017 opening with the new St. Croix Crossing Bridge)
- STH 65/64 to Star Prairie (August 5th tentative start date with flag operations)
- USH 63 / STH 64 / STH 46 roundabout (freight mitigation retro-fit work, start
time unknown)
6. Intersection STH 35 / CTH C / STH 64 WB exit ramp, east of Somerset
Wisconsin State Patrol reviewed the information received from Sgt Brian D Erickson,
who assessed the traffic control signage at STH 35/64 and CTH C in Somerset. The
signage on the main line "yield to on-coming traffic while flashing yellow" is quite clear.
The signage on CTH C "yield to on-coming traffic on green" is equally clear. There
should be no confusion with traffic flow or conflict with this signage, but would like to
review the crash data at the next meeting. Discussed.
No changes are proposed for this year.
7. CTH E Houlton Hill to Stillwater Bridge - Update and Recommendations
Tim Ramberg presented information concerning traffic flow in the Houlton area.
Wisconsin State Patrol reviewed the information received from Sgt Brian D Erickson,
who "would recommend closing off the westbound portion of CTH E on the Houlton hill.
With traffic increasing there is frequent conflict with entering STH 35 from CTH E.
Traffic should still be allowed to proceed up the hill. This will change once the new
bridge is open."
Recent changes and improvements include:
- A section of CTH E has been re-striped
- "Bike Route" signs placed on a section of CTH E during the 1970's will be
removed
- Police enforcement will be enhanced due to complaints of overweight trucks in
that area
This item will be discussed further at the October meeting.
8. One Bike & Pedestrian Highway Striping Lane Width Recommendations
Discussed the information in the handouts; plans are in the early stages. Motion by
William Peavey and seconded by Greg Helgeson to look for more recent data/research on
lane width for both rural and urban areas before a formal position is taken. Motion
passed unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
Tim Ramberg spoke of a "Safety Plan" concerning freight routes for future use and another
plan/program titled "Last Mile Traveled."
Kristen Sailer indicated Emergency Management has information on Hazzard Material Routes
and will supply same to Tim Ramberg.
Judy Achterhof commented on the digital signs along the highways being a great aide to
travelers.
ADJOURN
11:02 a.m.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
October 19, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.