Port panel puts brakes on intersection plan

A proposal to add bump outs and crosswalks to make the intersection of Grand Avenue and Webster Street near Port Washington High School and the Niederkorn Library safer for pedestrians was put on hold Tuesday by the city’s General Government and Finance Committee.

The action came after Ald. Deb Postl, a member of the committee, expressed concerns that while the measure would make the crossing safer for pedestrians it would also back up traffic in the area.

“I can’t approve this design as is. It’s going to be gridlock traffic,” Postl said. “The prime focus is on pedestrians with little focus on moving traffic.”

The proposal called for bump outs to be added to Grand Avenue — on either side of the intersections with North and South Webster Street.

Crosswalks would also be added on both sides of the intersection of Grand Avenue at North Webster Street and just west of the intersection of Grand Avenue at South Webster Street.

The bump outs would slow traffic and shorten the distance pedestrians are in the street, officials noted.

The work would be done in 2029 as part of a Department of Transportation initiative to bring curb ramps for handicapped access up to current standards along highways 33 and 32.

The cost to the city would be $72,000.

Public Works Director Rob Vanden Noven noted that the intersection of Grand Avenue and Webster Street has long been a concern for officials given the amount of vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area.

“This is intended to protect pedestrians,” he said. “I hear from (Library Director) Tom Carson regularly that he sees near misses there.”

The city has reports of three pedestrians being hit at the intersection during the past 25 years, Vanden Noven said, as well as numerous reports of close calls.

Of particular concern is the fact that while pedestrians are crossing Grand Avenue, impatient drivers often pass stopped vehicles on the right without noticing that someone is walking across the street.

Vanden Noven noted that flashing pedestrian beacons were added to the intersection in 2022, and the city’s downtown plan recommended improvements to pedestrian safety in 2023.

But Postl said that last year when equipment was parked in the area, limiting access, traffic backups were rife.

“This design is going to make that situation permanent,” she said, adding that backed-up traffic will make the situation worse for pedestrians.

She said she’s especially concerned that emergency vehicles could be held up in traffic if the bump outs were installed, adding that the plan is not endorsed by Police Chief Kevin Hingiss.

Fire Chief Joe DeBoer noted that recently 14 cars passed a vehicle waiting to make a left turn at the intersection — cars that would have been backed up if the proposal were implemented.

“In my opinion, traffic lights would be better,” Postl said.

Ald. Dan Benning, the committee chairman, concurred.

“I’ve never understood why we don’t have a light there,” he said, adding he’s concerned that many of the motorists traversing the area at the busiest times are young drivers who aren’t necessarily paying attention.

Vanden Noven, who noted the proposal was endorsed by the Board of Public Works, said the plan makes the area safer for the most vulnerable people — pedestrians.

“Our feeling is pedestrians’ safety is at risk,” he said. “I wouldn’t want my children crossing there.

“I wouldn’t bring this (proposal) up if I didn’t think it was safe.”

Benning suggested the plan be brought back to the Board of Public Works for more consideration, adding that the city should consider traffic studies of the area to find the best solution.

“There might be some compromise that makes more sense,” Postl said.