COMBINED LOCKS, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The speed limit will be lowered from 55 mph to 45 mph between Railroad St. and HH on Hwy CE starting the week of July 15th.
The change is supposed to make the highway more uniform. Currently, heading west on CE from Kaukauna to Appleton, the speed limit changes from 45 to 55, back down to 40 mph.
Outagamie County Highway Commissioner Dean Steingraber tells FOX 11 the highway department has been studying this section of CE for three years.
“We think we’re confusing the people out there. So we think by making it consistent all the way through here, people are going to be following it and staying on track.”
The study, conducted from 2015 to 2018, found 176 total crashes in this area. Of those crashes, 42% were intersection related. Another 43% were collisions with deer.
Some residents said reducing the speed should have happened a long time ago.
“There’s an on ramp right behind us here, and traffic is doing 70 mph to get up on top of this ramp and try to merge in there. So 45 mph would be terrific,” Mike Metko from the Town of Buchanan said.
Hannah Millard tells FOX 11 she hopes the intersection of Buchanan and CE can open back up with the reduced speed.
“They’re driving super fast which is why there were so many accidents there. I’m hoping if we reduce it then maybe they’ll do something else with the intersection. Because having it blocked off is really inconvenient for both sides of the road for the communities.”
Other residents don’t agree that lowering the speed will help.
“Chances are people are going to go that speed limit anyway, 55 mph, so you might as well keep it at the legal way it is,” Luke Steudel said.
“It’s all up to the driver how safe they drive, not up to the speed limit.”
One Facebook user said accidents will still happen.
“It’s always the poor driver’s that blame speed for everything… I understand the theory behind lowering the speed, it will only potentially lower the severity of an accident, won’t stop said accident from happening though,” Steve Koerner said on the Fox Valley Metro Police department’s post.
The Outagamie County Highway Commissioner said they’re looking at their budget and trying to determine a plan for the Buchanan and CE intersection.
