Some changes could be coming to uncontrolled intersections in Manitowoc.
The Common Council voted 6-5 on Monday (May 18th) to adopt a policy to help determine where additional traffic controls or road signs are needed in the city.
City staff would review any road sign or pedestrian crossing request, considering factors such as population density, the presence of schools and parks, traffic volume, and crash data, among others.
Public Safety Committee Chairman Todd Reckelberg says a study done shows that around 60% of Manitowoc intersections are controlled, compared to cities like Green Bay and Sheboygan, which are above 80%.
Many of the uncontrolled intersections the city would look at on the south side.
Council President Eric Sitkiewitz was concerned about the data used to decide where a sign should be placed, in some parts of the city but not others.
“I’m not going to support this tonight,” he stated. “If we want to send it back to committee so we can get some actual structure behind it so you can determine how and where stop signs belong and how you can justify it to constituents when they do request signs, I highly suggest it. Either we’re going to regulate all (stop signs) or pick and choose, but I can’t support it the way it is.”
3rd District Alderman Mike Cummings says he’s in favor of the policy because there are a lot of inconsistencies with placing stop signs.
“The nice part is then we have a system where we’re going to have all the information, the recommendation right away,” he explained. “And like I said, if you don’t agree with it, because it should go to that alder, then at that point, bring it to the (public safety) committee and then you can discuss it and go from there.”
The council was tied at 5-5 before Mayor Justin Nickels broke the tie, having served on a subcommittee with Reckelberg to learn more about regulating intersections.
Maps from city documents show that many proposed stop signs would be installed south of Madison Street and in the area of N. Park Street between N.12th and N. 18th Street.
