The Wisconsin Department of Transportation wants you to circle 2028 as the year when you will see a permanent change to the County Road BB (Gordon Road)/State Highway 57 intersection. The road to change began on Wednesday afternoon when DOT officials hosted a public meeting to formally introduce the project to the community. The proposed roundabout would be similar to what is seen at the highway’s intersections with Michigan Street and Egg Harbor Road, which were built in 2016. Access to the highway from Gordon Road would be closed during the project, but a temporary bypass roadway would allow the highway to stay open when work begins in 2028. Two commenters thanked the DOT for addressing the troubled intersection that saw 18 accidents between 2018 and 2022, prompting the county to install a temporary measure. They also asked if they had considered making the roundabout smaller, pointing out that the two-lane roundabout often turns into a speedway with drivers trying to pass people while going through them. Project Manager Paul Brauer said that while it was considered, ultimately, the bigger roundabout will handle the traffic better while maintaining safety in the intersection.
Other options, such as traffic lights, all-way stops, and a one-way stop with restricted turns, were also considered, but all three raised concerns that made the roundabout a better option. If you missed the meeting, you can still read more about the project at this link.
