VIROQUA, Wis. – Last year Viroqua completed phase one of a Main Street traffic improvement project that included the north and south portions of Main Street, and this year the city will be making changes to the downtown area that were not included last year. The city announced they will hold a public information meeting about this years project on Sept. 4 at the Viroqua City Hall Community Room (lower level) at 5 p.m.
Last year’s project was designed to reduce rear end collisions and increase pedestrian safety on Main Steet north and south by switching from four lanes to three lanes, with a center turn lane, adding pedestrian crossings and left turn lanes. Those changes have gotten mixed reactions but city officials say they have seen a large reduction in rear end collisions and pedestrian incidents.
This year’s project will address the downtown area from Decker Street to South Street. City officials say the improvements will increase crossing safety and enhance the downtown experience. Bump-outs will be used to shorten the crossing distance, and left-hand turn bays and one-way side streets will aid traffic flow. A Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) will be installed at Jefferson Street crossing and the current traffic signal moved to the South Street intersection.
The 2024 Main Street Improvement construction project is tentatively scheduled to begin on Monday, September 16, 2024, in downtown Viroqua. The public information meeting will involve a short presentation by City representatives, ISG (Construction Inspector) and Chippewa Concrete Services (Contractor) and include time for questions and one-on-one conversation with businesses and property owners.
When construction begins, the City of Viroqua will send weekly updates on the progress via email. To sign up for the email either fill out the form on the city webpage or send an email to Sarah Grainger at sgrainger@viroqua-wisconsin.com.
The updates and general project information can be found on the City of Viroqua website under the HWY 14/Main Street Improvements page.
Specific questions about this project or to set up an appointment to discuss sight specific needs should be directed to City Engineer Sarah Grainger at 637-2937 or sgrainger@viroqua-wisconsin.com.
Project details
Improvements taking place within the Downtown Main Street project.
- Downtown side streets are moving to an alternating one-way configuration. Court Street will stay the same. Jefferson and Terhune will be similar to the current Court Street.
2. Angled parking on one-way side streets. The current format on Court Street will stay the same. Angled parking will be added on both east and west Jefferson Street and west Terhune Street one block off of Main Street.
East Jefferson Street
West Jefferson Street
West Terhune Street
- Installation of left-hand turn lanes on Main Street at Court and Terhune. This example is at Terhune Street.
4. Colored crosswalks. This example is at Terhune Street.
5. Jefferson Street. Traffic Lights will be replaced with a Rapid Flashing Beacon (Pedestrian Crossing Lights).
6. South Street Traffic Signal (Relocated from Jefferson)
7. Radius changes NW corner of Main and Decker. Turning radius enlarged moving the curb back 15ft. Traffic signals moved with curb. Standalone pedestrian push buttons.
Closure plans
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. Closure will follow Phases A, B and C. The order of the phases will be determined by the contractor.
Phase A: Traffic will travel in the outside (parking) lanes and construction will occur in the two center lanes.
Phase B: Traffic will travel in the two westernmost lanes and construction will occur in the two easternmost lanes.
Phase C: Traffic will travel in the two easternmost lanes and construction will occur in the two westernmost lanes.
Only one corner will be closed at a time to ensure pedestrian access. These closures will occur at Court, Jefferson, Terhune and South Street. Closures will simultaneously occur at the four intersections. Closures will follow Phases A, B, C and D. The order of the phases will be determined by the contractor.
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