VernonReporter
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Phase two of Viroqua’s downtown traffic realignment set to begin later this year

VIROQUA, Wis. – Part two of a two-year improvement project for Viroqua’s Main Street is scheduled to begin in August 2024. The first part of the project in 2023 altered areas outside of the downtown corridor. That phase included re-striping the existing four-lane highway to a three-lane section with one lane in each direction and adding in a two-way left-turn lane (TWLTL). The project also (re)installed Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) at Broadway and Oak Street and minor geometric adjustments at the US 14/WIS 56 (Main and Decker St.) intersection to improve truck turning movements.

The 2024 Main Street improvements will take place in the downtown corridor from Decker Street to South Street to improve crossing safety and to enhance the downtown experience. At a recent Public Works meeting City Engineer and Director of Public Works Sarah Grainger said the project will include a number of major changes to the downtown corridor, and some minor ones.

“The downtown Main Street improvements will improve traffic flow, crossing safety and enhance the downtown experience” said Grainger.

  1. Bump-outs and colored crosswalks will be used to shorten the pedestrian crossing distance and will aid traffic flow.

2. The current traffic signal at Jefferson Street will be moved to the South Street intersection.

3. Jefferson Street traffic lights will be replaced with a Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB Pedestrian Crossing Lights).

4. Jefferson and Terhune Streets will will now be one way streets just like Court Street and will have angled parking.

5. Radius changes Northwest corner of Main and Decker. Turning radius enlarged moving the curb back 15 feet.

Main Street will always be open to traffic, however, during construction there will be no parking on Main Street in the downtown between Decker and South Street.

The first improvement completed in late 2023 was funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The second improvement, scheduled to begin in August 2024, is funded by the Transportations Alternatives Program (TAP) and involves sections of Main Street in the downtown, from Hwy 56 to South Street.

With these two projects combined, the city has received $935,000 in grant funding from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The City will be contributing the remaining $450,000 through tax increment district funds.

Information about the project including detailed maps can be viewed by visiting https://viroqua-wisconsin.com/highway-safety-improvement-project-hsip

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