Crossing gets more scrutiny

Safety pushed at Town of Neenah intersection

By Michael King Post-Crescent staff writer - Apr. 27, 2008

Safety concerns on Winnebago County CB have prompted authorities to add reduced speed advisory signs plus stop signs with solar-powered blinking lights (BlinkerSign®) to draw attention to the Town of Neenah intersection with Oakridge Road. A traffic study of the intersection, which has been the site of two fatalities since 2004, is under way.

TOWN OF NEENAH — Thomas Jensen believes the Winnebago County CB intersection with Oakridge and Larsen roads is safer now that new signs with solar-powered lights have been installed.

"I'm more aware that it's a dangerous intersection because of the fact that they put up a blinking stop sign for a reason," said Jensen, 36, who lives to the west in the Town of Clayton. "I honestly think it's better now."

Winnebago County officials have pursued various measures in hopes of increasing safety and minimizing crashes at the intersection, which has been the site of several crashes, including two fatalities since 2004. Authorities attributed both fatalities to driver error.

The Winnebago County Highway Commission is awaiting a traffic design study from the Green Bay consulting firm of Mead & Hunt to determine if there is a problem at the intersection, said Highway Commissioner John Haese. The $6,000 study is to be presented at the May 19 commission meeting to "give us some hard facts and recommendations if there's anything that should be done."

"There are a number of different things that people feel may be wrong (with the intersection) but a lot of it is related to: No. 1, speeding and No. 2, inattentive driving," Haese said.

An April 2007 crash caused by a drunken driver killed a popular local youth sports coach. An April 2004 fatality happened when 65-year-old woman who was confused about how to find U.S. 41 failed to yield and pulled out in front of a southbound truck, causing the death of her 78-year-old male passenger.

Most motorists express concern about a slight rise in the road on CB to the south that obscures fast-moving traffic approaching the intersection, minimizing reaction times.

Since the advisory speed reduction from 45 to 35 mph on CB was added, along with flashing lights, Haese said there have not been any serious crashes.

A 2006 study conducted by the Neenah public works staff "determined that signals were not warranted," Haese said.

Last year, when Haese suggested there might be right turns only, cutting off cross traffic, the idea was not well received by officials from the towns of Neenah and Clayton. Other suggestions include lowering CB south of the intersection or installing a roundabout.

"We're trying to be pro-active," Haese said. Once the study is finished, a public meeting will be scheduled to gather input from motorists and nearby residents.

"The lines of sight aren't the greatest there but they also aren't the worse I've seen," said Capt. John Matz of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department. "Crashes usually occur because of driver behavior."

The hill does come into play, Matz said, "but there's enough reaction time and line of sight that you can safely do it."

Jensen, a salesman who drives CB often, said he would be opposed to signals at the intersection.

"Having lived all around the country, I love roundabouts," he said. "You slow down to 20 mph but you still get to where you're going without stopping and tapping your foot (impatiently)."

Wisconsin State Patrol Lt. Nick Scorcio said motorists may get lulled into complacency by their comfortable vehicles or distracted by cell phones or laptops and not recognize the danger of crossing a highway.

"In-attentive people being distracted is one of the biggest factors in crashes," Scorcio said. "A moment's inattentiveness, that could be fatal, because of the comfortable environment we're riding along in. The threat just doesn't seem to be there for people. It takes a certain amount of self discipline not to be in that state of mind."