Public Meeting Regarding the Mineral Point/Junction Road Intersection

MADISON, WI -- The City of Madison will host a public meeting on February 28 at the Wisconsin Community Bank to discuss alternatives for needed improvements to the intersection of Junction Road and Mineral Point Road (CTH M and CTH S). Over the past several months, city engineers and planners have been developing a number of potential alternative improvements to handle existing and future traffic. The project team is looking to gather feedback and suggestions from the public. An invitation to attend a public meeting is extended to all businesses, commuters, pedestrians, bicyclists, bus riders, and other members of the general public who are interested in the future of this critical intersection on Madison's west side. Meeting attendees can expect to see drawings of a number of innovative intersection and interchange alternatives, discuss the issues and offer ideas about this intersection. People can submit written comments that will help to guide the project team in their efforts to design an effective intersection that works for all users, including not only the motoring public, but also pedestrians, bicyclists and bus riders. As those who use the intersection know, the traffic at this location can at times be frustrating and cause delays. Recent urban development at Madison's southwest limits, in the adjacent townships, as well as in Fitchburg and Verona, has added significant traffic to this once rural intersection. The intersection currently fails to meet the needs of commuters during the peak commuting hours. The length of these gridlocked periods will grow longer as future additional development plans for this area promise to add even more traffic. Many engineering constraints limit the type of interchange that can work at this location and the city is investigating newer interchange designs. A standard at-grade, signalized intersection would need to be a phenomenal 9 to 13 lanes wide to handle the projected traffic in the year 2030. In addition to meeting the needs of automobile commuters, one of the engineers' objectives is to enhance the ability of people not in cars to safely use the intersection. Pedestrians certainly could not easily cross up to 13 lanes of an at-grade intersection. The city would also like to make it easier for buses to provide service at this location. Rob Phillips, the city's deputy engineer is committed to innovation. "We are trying to create an interchange that will increase accessibility while still handling the large amount of traffic that is forecast for this area." The City's goal is to minimize impacts to the adjacent businesses. The City has also committed to protecting the Middleton Cemetery, which is located northwest of the intersection. The city will present a traffic simulation model that shows what traffic conditions will be like for each of the alternatives. The public can view the simulation videos and staff will be present to answer questions and take comments. The meeting room is located at Wisconsin Community Bank, 8240 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, WI. A 30 minute presentation of issues and alternatives will begin at 6:30 PM. Doors will be open from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. where project staff will be present for informal discussion both before and after the presentation. Exhibits of the project area and proposed alternatives will be on display. Persons with an interest in or knowledge about historical and archeological resources in the project area are invited to present such information to the City. Identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse effects on minority, low-income, disabled or elderly individuals will help achieve environmental justice and promote nondiscrimination in your community. If you know of anyone who may be impacted by this project and whose voice is not being heard, please contact the consultant project manger, Matt Hintze at (608) 294-5005, mhintze@hntb.com. The hearing site is wheelchair accessible. If you require an interpreter, translator, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access these sessions, call 267-8721 at least three business days prior to the meeting (by Monday February 25, 2008). Other questions about the project and requests for additional information can be directed to Matt Hintze at (608) 294-5005, mhintze@hntb.com or Rob Phillips at (608) 266-4090, rphillips@cityofmadison.com