Vision Zero Continues Speed Reductions on a Section of Mineral Point Rd
posted
The next 2022 roadway improvement scheduled through the Vision Zero initiative takes place on Monday, August 29th to a section of Mineral Point Rd, from S Whitney Way to the Beltline. This key roadway is home to commercial retail, including West Towne mall, schools and is a key road leading to the beltline. This speed reduction from 40 mph to 35 mph should not affect travel times on this stretch of roadway.
Along with the previous speed changes occurring earlier this year on East Washington Avenue and John Nolen Drive, this newest reduction will continue to work towards the goal of making Madison safer. Lowering the speed limit just 5 mph on this thoroughfare will not only decrease the likelihood of a serious or fatal crash but also increase the safety for all roadway users.
Since 2016, fifteen people have suffered serious injuries along Mineral Point Road and four more ended in a fatality along this stretch. There were two pedestrians struck and one fatal bicycle crash.
“It was heart breaking that we lost one of our community members when he was riding his bike to work on this stretch of the road, after being hit by a vehicle on June 7,” said Yang Tao, Head of the City’s Traffic Engineering Division. “Lowering speed limit and improving pedestrian and bicycle accommodations here will help prevent tragedies like this from happening again.”
There are future plans in 2023 and 2024 for improvements along this stretch of Mineral Point Rd, including a shared use path which will increase the protection for those traveling not in a vehicle. These improvements will ensure a safer travel for pedestrians and bicyclists along Mineral Point Rd, but also provide vehicles with a buffer from those most vulnerable. City Traffic Engineering also applied for, and received, a federal grant to make safety improvements at the Mineral Point Rd and High Point Rd intersection.
Additional streets scheduled for speed limit reductions in 2022 include:
- Old Sauk Rd
- Beltline to Westfield Rd (reduced to 30 mph from 35 mph)
- Portage Rd
- E Washington Ave to Hanson Rd (reduced to 25 mph from 30 mph)
- Segoe Rd
- University Ave to Odana Rd (reduced to 25 mph from 30 mph)
For each of these changes, along with updated permanent signs, staff will place temporary digital signboards in the area to remind drivers of the speed limit changes 35 mph to 30 mph
What is Vision Zero?
Vision Zero is a data driven strategy intended to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries on City streets by 2035 while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. For more information about the City of Madison’s Vision Zero initiative and to sign up for Vision Zero news updates, please visit the City of Madison’s Vision Zero Website.
Links
Images
Departments:
Categories:
