Town vows to improve safety at site of fatal crash

The September crash that killed an 89-year-old Town of Port Washington woman and seriously injured her daughter and son-in-law inspired several town residents to call and email Town Chairman Mike Didier and Clerk Heather Krueger with one question —what are we going to do?

To that end, the Town Board on Monday agreed to several measures intended to increase safety at the intersection of Mink Ranch Road and Highway KK.

They will install “cross traffic does not stop” signs below the existing stop signs on Mink Ranch Road, look into hiring a traffic consultant to conduct a safety evaluation of the intersection and check into the cost of installing lighted stop signs.

The solar-powered signs have LED lights around the edges, drawing drivers’ attention to the sign.

Board members also agreed to look into trimming some of the trees near the intersection.

The “cross traffic” signs are a relatively minor expense and should be installed, board members agreed. 

“If that stops one accident, it’s probably worth doing,” Supr. Greg Welton said.

Town resident Justin Myers suggested installing rumble strips near the crossing, but board members were lukewarm about that concept.

“That would be a pain for the farmers,” Treasurer Mary Sampont said.

The Sept. 4 accident seriously injured Dale and Jeannie Noll and killed Nelda Bartz, Jeannie Noll’s mother.

The accident occurred when Dale Noll was driving his Chevrolet Equinox north on Highway KK and a 2001 Pontiac driven by Aryanna Wendtland pulled onto Highway KK and collided with the SUV.

Authorities said at the time Wendtland may have slowed or stopped on Highway KK but, in an attempt to continue east on Mink Ranch Road, pulled into the path of Noll’s vehicle.

An 8-year-old passenger in Wendtland’s vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Wendtland was cited for failure to yield the right of way causing death.

Mr. Noll is a member of the Town of Port Plan Commission. 

Didier said Ozaukee County Highway Commissioner Jon Edgren said there have been eight accidents at the intersection from 2011 to 2020. Five were caused when westbound vehicles stopped and proceeded into the intersection because they didn’t see traffic on Highway KK or thought they could beat traffic.

In other action Monday, the Town Board agreed to stripe a two-foot pedestrian lane on both sides of Hillcrest Road between Highway LL and Northwoods Road.

Even with the pedestrian lanes, there is still enough room on the roadway for two 11-foot traffic lanes, Welton said.

“It’s such a wide road,” he said. “The reason it was widened was in part for a pedestrian lane.”

The work is expected to cost about $1,300.