OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Decades in the making, the city of Oshkosh is one step closer to improving pedestrian and bike safety.
More than a dozen bike injuries, four pedestrian fatalities and two pedestrian injuries occurred when the victims tried to cross I-41 using bridges shared with vehicles. Now, the city has the money to make some changes.
At midday, traffic is heavy on I-41 through Oshkosh. It’s even busier off the highway.
Not only are there cars on the roads, but cyclists and pedestrians use the same roadways to navigate their way, too. While sidewalks and trails offer a safe space for bikers and pedestrians, it’s simply not enough.
“I personally ride the 21/41, which is right behind us here, trying to get across there safely. It’s not necessarily the roundabouts, but it’s the people driving them. They go so fast,” said Mike Halron of Oshkosh.
For years, the city of Oshkosh has wanted to put a pedestrian bicycle bridge — similar to the ones in Outagamie County — over I-41 in Winnebago County.
The city identified the area of Lin Way Court on the west side, across the interstate to the east, as the best location for the bridge.
According to James Rabe, Oshkosh’s director of public works, “With Ninth Avenue, Witzel and HWY 21 all having roundabouts, we’re kind of in the middle of that whole area, so it’s kind of a good midpoint.”
$8 million in federal grant money, which is about 80% of the projected $10 million dollar project, will help to fund the design and construction of the bridge. The city will rely on capital improvement project money to fund the rest.
“Likely going to have to do a little land acquisition, so look at getting someone on board to do that. Get the design engineering, get public input on aesthetics for the project, so it will be a lengthy process to get through, but it really starts with finding out what the requirements are from the U.S. DOT,” added Rabe.
While the focus of the project is safety, the addition of the bridge will also improve access for those who live, work and play on either side of the interstate.
Rabe said, “Connecting in this area, with Taft Ave right here, is a connection to Oshkosh West High School. We’ve got a lot of high density residential, just on the other side of the highway, so it’s really connecting those origins with those destinations.”
“It just means more access to more trails,” said Halron. He added, “I know a lot of cycling friends will avoid riding from one side of the other because of the traffic issues.”
The city expects the project to take about three to five years to complete.
Green Bay and La Crosse received similar federal funding.
City of Green Bay: $916,000 to develop a comprehensive safety action plan and conduct supplemental planning and demonstration activities. The supplemental planning activities will consist of a bicycle and pedestrian risk assessment, street lighting assessment, bike share feasibility study, a speed management plan, and more. The demonstration activities will include education strategies, traffic calming strategies, deploying real-time speed management devices, and identifying specific targeted enforcement strategies.
City of La Crosse: $280,000 for the La Crosse Area Planning Committee to develop a comprehensive safety action plan aimed at reducing and eliminating serious-injury and fatal crashes for all roadway users. The comprehensive safety action plan will use data analysis to identify and assess roadway safety problems. By focusing on the most significant safety risks, the City of La Crosse in collaboration with surrounding towns, villages, and cities will be able to strengthen the community’s approach through targeted projects and strategies.
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