OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – The speed limit will not be reduced on Highway 15 between Greenville and New London, although other safety measures either have been put into place or are being planned.
The stretch of highway has been the scene of traffic jams and deadly crashes recently. An expansion of the highway is set to begin next year.
An online petition is calling for the speed limit to be reduced on the highway. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says it conducted a study on Highway 15 to see if lowering the speed limit from 55 to 45 mph would make the road safer. The study concluded that drivers currently travel at an average of 58.9 mph. If the speed limit were lowered, the DOT believes less than 10% of drivers would travel at or below 45 mph. The DOT says that would lead to more tailgating, lane changing and passing, making the road less safe.
To try to make the road safer, the State Patrol added extra patrols in May. So far, troopers have pulled over 677 vehicles and issued 322 tickets for speeding alone. The DOT also adjusted the timing of traffic lights in Hortonville, reviewed signs and re-painted pavement markings.
The DOT also plans to put up signs displaying drivers’ speeds at Manley Road and Bennett Circle.
In spring, plans call for lane improvements at Highway JJ to make it safer to pass traffic turning left. Plans also call for pavement re-painting when weather permits.
