Number
151465
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. WITKOWSKI
Title
Substitute resolution relating to Wisconsin Department of Transportation decisions to close highway median openings.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City’s opposition to any Wisconsin Department of Transportation decision to close a highway median opening in Milwaukee unless WisDOT has data that indicate a significant crash problem associated with the median opening.
...Body
Whereas, Openings in the median of a highway or other divided street facilitate the movement of traffic on that roadway, particularly turns made by motorists for the purpose of accessing businesses, homes, schools, churches and other land uses located on the other side of the roadway; and
Whereas, The existence and specific locations of median openings on a divided highway may be of critical importance to the survival and success of businesses located along that roadway; and
Whereas, From time to time, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (“WisDOT”), when planning and designing highway reconstruction projects, proposes the closure of median openings on highways that serve abutting commercial land uses; and
Whereas, When proposing the closure of median openings on highways that serve abutting businesses, it is essential that WisDOT give full consideration to the effects of closure on nearby businesses, particularly when the existing median opening is not associated with any significant number of vehicular crashes or other traffic incidents; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City of Milwaukee opposes any Wisconsin Department of Transportation decision to close a highway median opening in Milwaukee unless WisDOT has data that indicate a significant crash problem associated with the median opening; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Engineer and other Department of Public Works staff shall communicate this position to WisDOT staff whenever WisDOT proposes the closure of a median opening as part of a highway reconstruction project in Milwaukee; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall send copies of this resolution to Wisconsin Secretary of Transportation Mark Gottlieb and to all members of Milwaukee’s delegation to the Wisconsin Legislature.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB162772-1
Jeff Osterman
01/25/2016