SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) – Shawano County Officials and the Department Of Transportation are on opposite sides of the road when it comes to ideas on how to best fix a dangerous intersection.
Shawano County Officials say a cheaper option may not be the best way to fix the Highway 29-County U intersection.
The DOT says one fix that has proven the success of lowering the number of fatal crashes is a J-Turn or U-Turn, but the county says it is a waste of money because that is not what they want in the end.
“We cannot see where the J-Turns that they keep plugging for are a benefit,” said Tom Kautza, Shawano County Highway Committee Chairman.
He says he would like to see the DOT cut out a hill near the intersection that cuts down on visibility and use what they dig up to help build the interchange.
Michael Wendt of the DOT says the interchange option would cost over $16 million dollars and options like a J-Turn, Hillcut or U-Turn are much more affordable.
“We have secured about $2.5 million dollars for this location which is very close to the maximum for that type of funding.”
There were four crash deaths at the intersection in the last three years.
Grant Bystol, Highway Commissioner says some of the issues are driver’s error but the intersection is unsafe for many reasons.
“There have been numerous crashes with the shadow effects and a vehicle following another vehicle and one vehicle turning and another vehicle pulling out and being hit. There have been vehicles trying to cross all four lanes of traffic at once.”
Shawano County officials say there have been 466 crashes and seven deaths on Highway 29 since 2013.
In the end, it will be the DOT’s decision on what option to go with.
