VILLAGE OF HOBART, WI (WTAQ) – The Brown County Public Works Department showcased some low-cost, high-impact road safety implementations on Thursday that they are hoping will help make some dangerous roadways a little safer.
Director of Brown County Public Works, Paul Fontecchio, says his work has been cut out for him.
“When I first got here six years ago I started looking at the county highway system and there were some places that were truly scary,” he says. “From a safety perspective, not awesome.”
It’s been a focus for Fontecchio and his department to properly identify and address the most dangerous stretches of roadway.
“We’re prioritizing our least safe intersections and roads first,” he explains. “That’s all we can do is prioritize them and tackle them.”
One of those dangerous stretches was County Highway J in the Village of Hobart, which has been identified as a roadway with an above average crash rate.
Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach, who recently introduced his 2019 budget proposal, says the county has been exploring numerous ways to improve the safety of the roadway.
“Lately we’ve been having a debate about where to place rumble strips,” says Streckenbach.
Centerline rumble strips, enhanced edge line markings, chevron signs, and relocated hazardous utility poles are all being implemented along the stretch of roadway.
It’s all in an effort to act before tragedy strikes.
“What we’re doing differently in Brown County is we’re planning for the future,” says Streckenbach. “We’re trying to be more proactive.”
This initiative is one part of Streckenbach’s larger 2019 budget proposal. An annual budget hearing will be held by the entire Brown County Board of Supervisors on October 31 at 9 AM.
