A section of a WisDOT conceptual plan for a roundabout at Highways 45 and 142 in Paris. Click for larger view. (Note: Thanks to Van Wangaard for supplying his copy of this document. — DH)
The Paris Town Board Tuesday passed a resolution opposing a state Department of Transportation proposal to build a roundabout at the Highways 45 and 142 intersection in Paris.
Board opposition to the roundabout centers on the projected impact on at least two current businesses at the intersection. State plans presented last month show the roundabout running through a tavern at the southwest corner and drastically changing access to a auto repair business at the northwest corner. Another tavern at the southeast corner could also be impacted.
The board first considered a resolution to oppose the roundabout in August, but tabled it in order to hear from state officials at the September meeting. Last month, state DOT officials did a presentation on the options for the intersection and the Town Board tabled the opposition resolution again.
Tuesday, they were ready to act and the resolution passed by a unanimous vote.
“We should make it very clear that we don’t want anything to do with the roundabout,” said Supervisor Ken Monson.
The board also discussed options for getting the intersection exempt from sidewalks. The state officials present last month said sidewalls and bike paths have to be considered for the intersection and could be dropped from the project under certain exemptions.
Paris town attorney Tim Pruitt said he has been told there are two possible exemptions:
- Absence of need, which would have to be proved through traffic and bike use data.
- Refusal to maintain, which Pruitt said he felt was viable for the town given it has no other sidewalks and lacks equipment to properly maintain them.
Sidewalks could be an issue with either the roundabout or a new four-way stop intersection, but board members decided they should oppose the roundabout first before pursuing a sidewalk requirement exemption.
Related posts
Paris tables resolution to oppose roundabout at Highways 45 and 142
Paris hears options on Highways 45 & 142 intersection; tables roundabout resolution again
Finally some Common Sense leadership from elected officials!
I’ll have to agree with West of 45 Citizen on this one. However, too bad they didn’t have common sense enough to approve a business that applied to the Town on Highway E. It seems they are choosing who they want and don’t want in the Town. Not Fair!
exactly. vote in April.