Highway Safety Improvement Project (HSIP)
Highway Safety Improvement Project
Project Update: August 17, 2023
Project Update: August 3, 2023
Project Update: July 18, 2023
Public Informational meeting: June 2023
Work started Wednesday, July 5 on a Highway Safety Improvement Project on the north and south side entrances into the city. The highway will be restriped resulting in one driving lane in each direction with a two-way left turn lane added. The project also includes adding Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at Broadway and Oak Street with minor adjustments at the Main and Decker intersection.
A recording of this week’s public informational meeting is available for viewing
A public informational meeting regarding the Summer 2023 Highway Safety Improvement Project in the City of Viroqua was held on May 24, 2023. A recording of the meeting is available for viewing here
Main Street Projects 2023-2024
The City of Viroqua’s Main Street will be undergoing significant safety improvements over the next two years. Improvements will be made across two projects. The first, in July and August 2023, will be altering areas outside of the downtown and, the second, in 2024, focusing on the downtown corridor.
Starting in July, the Department of Transportation will be restriping the existing four-lane highway to a three-lane section, with one lane in each direction and a two-way left-turn lane (TWLTL). A TWLTL is a lane placed in the median to allow traffic to make left turns off of a roadway. The lane serves as a separation for opposing lanes of traffic and removes left-turning vehicles from the through lane. Also with this project is the (re)installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) at Broadway and Oak Street and minor geometric adjustments at the US 14/WIS 56 (Main and Decker St.) intersection to improve truck turning movements.
In 2024, the Main Street improvements will take place downtown to improve crossing safety and enhance the downtown experience. Bump-outs will be used to shorten the crossing distance, and left-hand turn bays and one-way side streets will aid traffic flow. A RRFB will be installed at Jefferson Street crossing and the traffic signal moved to the South Street intersection.
Why?
Crossing Highway 14 safely affects residents and visitors of all ages and abilities, impacting access to schools, downtown businesses, and other important amenities.
Conversion to the two-way left-turn lane configuration provides the following benefits.
- Reduces rear-end, left-turn and sideswipe crashes
- Effectively moves traffic by removing left-turning vehicles from the through lane
- Provides better access to side roads and driveways
- Provides fewer travel lanes for pedestrians to cross
- Allows easier and safer emergency vehicle movement, particularly during peak-hour periods
The benefits of downtown bump-outs and one-way side streets are as follows.
- Shortens the street crossing for pedestrians and improves the vehicle/pedestrian line of sight
- Improves traffic flow through downtown and reduces vehicle and pedestrian crossing conflicts
- Promotes traffic calming, slowing traffic speed to improve safety, by narrowing the roadway
- Provides room for additional streetscape features and additional parking on side streets
- Provides directional curb ramps for safer crossings
How?
The first improvement is planned for late summer 2023 and is funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). It involves sections of Main Street outside of downtown, from Brendel Lane to Highway 56 and South Street to Rusk Avenue. The second improvement, planned for 2024, is funded by the Transportations Alternatives Program (TAP) and involves the sections of Main Street in the downtown, from Hwy 56 to South Street.
With these two projects combined, the City has received $935,000 in grant funding from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The City will be contributing the remaining $450,000 through tax increment district funds.
US Highway 14 – South End of Viroqua
Restriping plan for South HWY 14 converting the 4-lane configuration to a 3 land two-way left-turn lane (TWLTL) which reduces rear-end, left-turn and sideswipe crashes and the number lanes to cross at intersections. Median with rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) at Oak Street and median at Maple Street to aid pedestrian crossing.
US Highway 14 – North End of Viroqua
Restriping plan for North HWY 14 converting the 4-lane configuration to a 3 land two-way left-turn lane (TWLTL) which reduces rear-end, left-turn and sideswipe crashes and the number lanes to cross at intersections. Median with rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) at West Broadway to aid pedestrian crossing.
US Highway 14 – Decker Street
Restriping plan for HWY 14 and HWY 56 (Decker) intersection. Bump-outs on Hwy 56 east bound and west bound lane to clarify single-lane traffic pattern, aid truck traffic in right-hand turns and shorten pedestrian crossing distance.
US Highway 14 Decker Street Traffic Signal
HWY 14 and HWY 56 (Decker) intersection traffic signal phasing will be modified from a 2-phase to a 3-phase configuration. Please see notes for phasing plan.
US Highway 14 – West and East Broadway Intersections
Restriping plan for Hwy 14 at West Broadway and East Broadway intersections. West Broadway intersection will have a median and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) to aid pedestrian crossings. East Broadway will have medians to aid crossings.
Further information about the Highway Safety Improvement Project may be found on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website: