Madison Area

[The Ghostbuster]

Update to construction of the BRT stations on State St.: https://www.wmtv15news.com/2024/05/10/bus-rapid-transit-system-progresses-state-st-construction-complete/.

[The Ghostbuster]

There is an in-person PIM tonight to discuss the PEL corridor study of the Beltline: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/madisonbeltline/public.aspx. Yesterday, there was a YouTube virtual meeting presenting the same material. It appears it will be quite some time before any long-term improvements are made, as only the portion between University Ave. and Whitney Way will get its NEPA study this decade (the rest will have to wait until the 2030's for their NEPA studies to start).

[triplemultiplex]

Makes sense.  The 2X2 configuration has been inadequate for a while.  And goddammit, there needs to be an interchange at CTH K.  That traffic light is a killer.  Should've been part of the original expansion 20 years ago.

[The Ghostbuster]

The second PIM for the US 51 (Stoughton Rd.) South Study has finally been announced. It will be on Tuesday, November 19th from 5:30 PM to 7 PM: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us51-corridor/southstudy.aspx. I have been waiting a long time for this meeting, and I look forward to it.

[Molandfreak]

Another one? Wasn't there just a study done in the area that resulted in the roundabouts?

[The Ghostbuster]

I believe you are thinking of this project: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us51-danecounty/default.aspx. That one is further south between McFarland, Stoughton, and Interstate 39/90's Exit 156. The two Stoughton Rd. corridor studies are between Voges Rd./Terminal Dr. (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0415812,-89.303309,699m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAyNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) and Interstate 39/90/94 Exit 132. The two studies are here: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us51-corridor/northstudy.aspx (North); https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us51-corridor/southstudy.aspx (South).

[The Ghostbuster]

Tonight is the second Public Information Meeting of the US 51 South Corridor Study: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us51-corridor/southpi.aspx. I probably shouldn't reveal this, but the location of the meeting is at the High School I attended. I likely won't attend since I'll be watching the NBA on TNT. I'll check tomorrow to see what was covered at the meeting.

[mgk920]

Tonight is the second Public Information Meeting of the US 51 South Corridor Study: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/us51-corridor/southpi.aspx. I probably shouldn't reveal this, but the location of the meeting is at the High School I attended. I likely won't attend since I'll be watching the NBA on TNT. I'll check tomorrow to see what was covered at the meeting.

Ahhhh, priorities!   

Mike

[The Ghostbuster]

Well, the Cleveland Cavaliers are my favorite NBA team (a former bus driver turned me on to them about a decade before they drafted LeBron James), although I was not happy seeing them lose for the first time this season (damn the Boston Celtics and their endless 3s). Getting back to the Stoughton Road South Corridor Study, the information about what was covered at last night's meeting has not yet been posted on the DOT website. I will have to check back at a later date. One thing I really hope happens is that the Buckeye Road and Pflaum Road intersections are converted into interchanges.

[SEWIGuy]

Well, the Cleveland Cavaliers are my favorite NBA team (a former bus driver turned me on to them about a decade before they drafted LeBron James), although I was not happy seeing them lose for the first time this season (damn the Boston Celtics and their endless 3s). Getting back to the Stoughton Road South Corridor Study, the information about what was covered at last night's meeting has not yet been posted on the DOT website. I will have to check back at a later date. One thing I really hope happens is that the Buckeye Road and Pflaum Road intersections are converted into interchanges.

The City's Stoughton Road Revitilization Plan references some of the options and has some good ideas for how to make the corridor look nicer as a result.

[The Ghostbuster]

I have read that 104-page document. While I agree with your statement SEWIGuy, the revitalization plan is from 2008, and I would prefer to read something a little more up-to-date.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Well, the Cleveland Cavaliers are my favorite NBA team (a former bus driver turned me on to them about a decade before they drafted LeBron James), although I was not happy seeing them lose for the first time this season (damn the Boston Celtics and their endless 3s). Getting back to the Stoughton Road South Corridor Study, the information about what was covered at last night's meeting has not yet been posted on the DOT website. I will have to check back at a later date. One thing I really hope happens is that the Buckeye Road and Pflaum Road intersections are converted into interchanges.

[The Ghostbuster]

I would like to post my thoughts on the presentation given during the public information meeting on the US 51 South Stoughton Rd. Corridor Study: I am disappointed that the only alternatives presented were to the mainline roadway of Stoughton Rd., and not any intersection reconfigurations. That being said, I oppose any alternatives that would move driveway access to mainline Stoughton Rd. and would support maintaining the existing frontage roads. I like that all alternatives would have three lanes in each direction, but I don't like the idea of bumping the speed limit down to 35 MPH and would prefer a 45 MPH speed limit. Adding new crossings across Stoughton Rd. is something I would support as long as they were grade-separated from Stoughton Rd. Looks like we will have to wait for the next public information meeting for intersection alternatives.

[TheCatalyst31]

Even if they lower the speed limit to 35, I don't see how direct driveway access to Stoughton Road doesn't turn it into a stroad with the associated safety problems, given that southbound traffic is coming off of a 55 MPH limited-access road. Of course, Stoughton Road north of WIS 30 already has that problem.

[SSOWorld]

It's Dane County. Wisconsin's home of the NUMTOT!

[TheCatalyst31]

Speaking of NUMTOTs, Madison will be lowering its speed limit to 20 MPH in residential areas.

[mgk920]

Speaking of NUMTOTs, Madison will be lowering its speed limit to 20 MPH in residential areas.

Isn't there a state law that requires it be 25 (or was that recently fully or partially repealed)?

Mike

[The Ghostbuster]

I've seen those 20 MPH speed limit signs. There are even some in my own neighborhood. I see it as an unnecessary reduction in the speed limit. 25 MPH speed limits were perfectly adequate for cars within neighborhoods in my opinion.

[mgk920]

I've seen those 20 MPH speed limit signs. There are even some in my own neighborhood. I see it as an unnecessary reduction in the speed limit. 25 MPH speed limits were perfectly adequate for cars within neighborhoods in my opinion.

I seriously question what kind of compliance that will be seeing, too.  That is just like the 15 MPH school zones ("WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT").  They'd have far better compliance with '20 MPH', but I dare not say anything like that out loud.  (No different, IMHO, than the 21 YO drinking age and the paranoiac enforcement thereof.)

Mike

[SSOWorld]

I've seen those 20 MPH speed limit signs. There are even some in my own neighborhood. I see it as an unnecessary reduction in the speed limit. 25 MPH speed limits were perfectly adequate for cars within neighborhoods in my opinion.

"The chances of fatalities are smaller at slower speeds".

Very NUMTOT. (with regards to anything non-car.)

[SEWIGuy]

Eh. If the people of Madison want to drive closer on their residential streets, fine by me.

[GeekJedi]

Speaking of NUMTOTs, Madison will be lowering its speed limit to 20 MPH in residential areas.

Isn't there a state law that requires it be 25 (or was that recently fully or partially repealed)?

Mike

I don't believe any state law like that would trump municipal law. That law could be applied to state-maintained roads, but that's about it. That's come up a bit lately with cities passing ATV laws. They're allowed on city streets, but state law prohibits them on state routes.

[Revive 755]

From https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/projects/by-region/sw/us51-corridor/speed1124.pdf

Curb and gutter encourages slower speeds and alerts drivers they are in
an urban area where bicyclists and pedestrians may be present.

Whoever wrote that must never visit Chicagoland.  Curb and gutter certainly doesn't keep the speeds down on Lake Shore Drive.

I seriously question what kind of compliance that will be seeing, too.  That is just like the 15 MPH school zones ("WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT").  They'd have far better compliance with '20 MPH', but I dare not say anything like that out loud.  (No different, IMHO, than the 21 YO drinking age and the paranoiac enforcement thereof.)

Mike

They'll probably use it to push for speed cameras.

[mgk920]

From https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/projects/by-region/sw/us51-corridor/speed1124.pdf

Curb and gutter encourages slower speeds and alerts drivers they are in
an urban area where bicyclists and pedestrians may be present.

Whoever wrote that must never visit Chicagoland.  Curb and gutter certainly doesn't keep the speeds down on Lake Shore Drive.

Lake Shore Drive does not have the characteristics of a conventional city street.

Mike

[silverback1065]

From https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/projects/by-region/sw/us51-corridor/speed1124.pdf

Curb and gutter encourages slower speeds and alerts drivers they are in
an urban area where bicyclists and pedestrians may be present.

Whoever wrote that must never visit Chicagoland.  Curb and gutter certainly doesn't keep the speeds down on Lake Shore Drive.

Lake Shore Drive does not have the characteristics of a conventional city street.

Mike

Ya curb and gutter is for drainage purposes only. If you want to lower speeds you would want to do things like: constrain lane widths, introduce curves, add on street parking, landscaping, signals or stop signs, etc.