The city of Shawano is looking at reducing the speed limit on Green Bay Street between Eberlein Park and Airport drives from 40 mph to 35.
The field committee is recommending the change after a speed study showed the lower speed would be better for traffic safety. With the increase of business traffic in the area, and with it new driveway additions, it has become difficult at times for vehicles to get back on Green Bay Street after visiting businesses.
West of Eberlein Park Drive, the speed limit for Green Bay Street is 25 mph and stays there to the city limits at the Wolf River, while it’s 45 mph east of Airport Drive and continues to be until the intersection of County Road BE.
Because the segment of road is part of three state highways, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation had to give its stamp of approval before the city could make the change. Anthony Kemnitz, DOT traffic safety engineer, said once the city adopts the new ordinance reducing the speed limit, it will be enforceable by local and state police.
Mike Mahloch, Shawano public works director, said that the city plans to get the new speed limit signs as soon as the Shawano Common Council approves the ordinance at its June 10 meeting. He said the city would get the word out on Facebook so that people aren’t blindsided by the changes.
“If we can get some flags out, we can put them on the reduced speed limit signs,” Mahloch said. “Obviously, the police department will have to be notified. Once we have the signs up, it is enforceable.”
Mayor Bruce Milavitz said it was important to let the businesses in that corridor know about the change in the speed limit.
“With all the incidents people have had trying to turn in and turn out, I think it’s going to make it a lot easier for people to get in and out of their businesses,” Milavitz said. “I think we should send a letter to them directly, addressing that we’re trying to address the safety of East Green Bay Street.”
Alderman John Hoeffs questioned whether further speed reduction east of Airport Drive might be necessary in the future with more businesses expanding in that area.
“With that area being 45, people are going 50, 55 through there now,” Hoeffs said.
Mahloch said that could be a possibility, but it’s not a consideration now, because the speed study did not focus its attention east of Airport Drive.
“It’s a good step process right now,” Mahloch said of the 25-35-45 process on East Green Bay Street. “There is a potential if businesses keep expanding to the east, the way the state DOT has their specs. We don’t have frontage roads, so we have direct access to the highway.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
