WisDOT To Host Meeting Feb. 1 On Plans For Hwy. 141 In Crivitz

Crivitz Village Board and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) have long been concerned over safety issues on Hwy. 141 through the village, particularly at the main intersection where County W crosses the highway and the sections of Highway 141 leading up to it. Now, WisDOT has plans they believe will resolve at least some of the safety issues.

WisDOT representatives discussed plans with Crivitz village officials last week, and have scheduled a public involvement meeting at Crivitz Village Hall, 800 Henriette Ave. in Crivitz  from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Purpose of the meeting is to review the need for improvements, show potential highway modifications, obtain comments and feedback on the proposed improvements, discuss possible schedule and traffic impacts, and review WisDOT's tools for businesses​ in work zones.

A short presentation will begin at 5:10 p.m., followed by an open-house format during which attendees will have the opportunity to speak with project staff one-on-one if they so choose.

This stretch of US 141, from Owl Lane to the south junction of Old Hwy. 141 in Crivitz, has exhibited an injury crash rate that has placed it on the safety watch list.

In terms of safety, WisDOT finds that this 1.4-mile segment of Hwy. 141 ranks among the top 5% of injury crash rates for similar highways in Wisconsin. There were 79 crashes in 5-year study period, and 25 percent, or one out of every four crashes, resulted in injuries. Left turns, particularly at the intersections with South Street and County W, were identified as contributing factors in a majority of those accidents.

In hopes of improving safety there, WisDOT is developing potential roadway improvements including changing the current 4-lane roadway to a 3-lane roadway with a two-way left turn lane. The project also would also resurface the pavement in the project limits.

Village officials have also expressed concern over lack of crosswalks for pedestrians to safely cross Hwy. 141 and have been seeking ways to resolve this problem.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the Feb. 1 meeting to review design alternative details, displays and exhibits, ask questions, and provide comments to assist WisDOT in determining a final design.

WisDOT is proposing a “road diet” for the 1.4-mile segment of highway. This consists of converting the existing four-lane roadway with two lanes each direction into a three-lane roadway, with one lane in each direction plus a center left-turn lane.

They say the road diet concept reduces the number of vehicle conflict points which has been shown to decrease the number and severity of crashes. Under this plan Hwy. 141  in Crivitz would be re-striped as a 3-lane roadway with a two-way left turn lane, and dedicated left turn lanes would be provided at the intersections of US 141 and South Street and US 141 and County W.

The WisDOT web site says reducing high crash rates, coupled with safety and operational deficiencies, are the primary needs along US 141 in Crivitz.

The Hwy. 141 roadway exhibits other operational shortcomings, particularly at the two major intersections. The intersection at South Street is stop controlled on the side road only, and has no designated turn lanes on Hwy. 141 for vehicles. The intersection at County W has traffic lights, but also has no designated turn lanes and no left turn arrow phase, so queues can form quickly during peak periods, especially during peaks for seasonal weekend and holiday travel, because it can be difficult to find adequate gaps for vehicles to turn safely.

They say the proposed improvements provide motorists a separate left turn lane for all access points along the project route. Converting the current roadway to a three-lane roadway with a dedicated left-turn lane would reduce crashes by removing left turning vehicles  from through traffic lane, which reduces the potential for rear end crashes and eliminate weaving vehicles attempting to avoid stopped or slowing vehicles,  which reduces the potential for sideswipe crashes.

Vehicles attempting to turn left onto the highway from side roads or driveways will be able to “store” in the median and make their turn in two stages.

WisDOT planners say fewer lanes of on-coming traffic for turning maneuvers reduces potential crash points, eliminates through traffic vehicles using additional lane as a passing lane, allows local traffic safer access to businesses and the local roadway network, and naturally creates traffic calming which in turn reduces speeds while maintaining capacity. Planners say the proposed design can handle 16,000 vehicles per day, and the average daily traffic along Hwy. 141 in Crivitz averaged between 8,800 and 11,000 vehicles per day.

The DOT plans also call for resurfacing the highway leading up to the railroad crossing, resulting in a smoother roadway for motorists, less wear on vehicles, extended pavement life and decreased maintenance costs.

The highway  is expected to remain open during the majority of construction by utilizing lane closures and flagging operations, and access to businesses and properties is to be maintained during construction. There is to be ongoing coordination with local officials.

If all goes as planned, environmental documents will be completed in fall of 2023. Final designs will be completed in winter of 2024. Construction is currently scheduled for spring of 2025.

For those seeking more information, in addition to Wednesday’s meeting, a US 141 design website is available for review at https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/ne/141crivitz/default.....

Members of the public can provide comment at the meeting, on the website, and via e-mail or phone. There is also a prepaid US mail comment form on the websites for download.

Anyone unable to attend the meeting, or who would like more information, can review the project website or contact Kurt Vogel, P.E., WisDOT Project Manager, 944 Vanderperren Way, Green Bay, WI 54304; or by phone:
920-492-7706.

Category:

Subscriber Login