LETTER: Village keeps talking but not acting on unsafe intersection

To Ozaukee Press:

When I saw the Village of Grafton’s Board of Public Works Sept. 14 meeting agenda item regarding the 13th Avenue and Highway 60 intersection, it felt like a scene out of the movie “Groundhog Day.” We seem to be caught in an endless loop of revisiting resolved issues in this village, and the question we must ask is why?

Last year, the village invested over $12,000 in a professional traffic study by the raSmith engineering company to improve safety at this intersection. In September 2025, the Village Board reviewed that study and unanimously approved option three to construct a permanent concrete median and install appropriate traffic signage. In their report, raSmith noted that village staff viewed this alternative favorably, stating that it “maintains similar traffic movements as today while increasing the focus on pedestrian mobility and safety.”

Following that explicit board directive, it became the responsibility of the Department of Public Works to execute the plan. While temporary flexible lane delineators were installed, the permanent concrete median has still not been constructed a full year later—despite clear board approval. 

Instead, two completely new intersection options were presented recently at a public information meeting without a supporting traffic study. Why?

Administrative staff changes occurred in January 2026, but a change in administration should not result in the abandonment of voter-backed, board-approved mandates. We need administrative accountability and adherence to the directives established by our elected representatives. 

As engaged citizens, we expect our Village department administrators to follow the directives of our elected officials, rather than charting their own different course.

No more “Groundhog Day” – it’s time to execute the Board-approved option three from the 2025 raSmith study.

Marie McFaul

Grafton