The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will require a two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 64 and Pine Ridge Avenue as part of the development of a Walmart super center in Merrill. The directive is included in WisDOT’s response to Walmart’s Traffic Impact Analysis of the project.
The Merrill Common Council, meeting as the Committee of the Whole Tuesday night, discussed the roundabout requirement. Because the highway is under WisDOT’s control and Walmart would be footing the bill for the roadway improvements, the city does not have any say in the matter, explained city administrator David Johnson.
Mayor Bill Bialecki said he was surprised by the roundabout requirement, believing that the signalized intersection would stay in place. He said the roundabout will impact the property owners at all four quadrants of the intersection.
In June, WisDOT had responded to Walmart’s initial Traffic Impact Analysis submission. At that time, WisDOT requested additional information from Walmart, including further study of the Hwy. 64/Pine Ridge Ave. intersection. No mention was made of a roundabout at that intersection in the initial response. However, WisDOT has consistently stated a requirement for a roundabout on Hwy. 64 at the northbound Hwy. 51 offramps.
According to WisDOT crash statistics, there were 27 accidents at the Hwy. 64/Pine Ridge Ave. intersection from 2006-2011.
After reviewing Walmart’s revised study of the intersection, WisDOT responded that the modifications necessary are extensive enough to require complete reconstruction of the intersection.
“Due to ongoing cost, maintenance and logistical issues, WisDOT cannot continue to provide the support necessary to operate and maintain a signal at this location,” the report states. It also states the same regarding the Hwy. 51 offramps and the Hwy. 64/Hwy. 17 intersection.
WisDOT will require two-lane roundabouts at both the Pine Ridge Avenue intersection and at the Hwy. 51 northbound offramps. They will also require transition of the current four-lane section of Hwy. 64 between the Hwy. 51 northbound offramp and the Hwy. 17 intersection to a two-lane section, and a reconfiguration of the Hwy. 64/Hwy. 17 intersection.
WisDOT will not require closure of the intersection of Big Eddy Road and Hwy. 64.
Walmart has not yet responded to the WisDOT requirements related to the Traffic Impact Analysis.
The city is waiting to see the outcome of the roadway issue before taking action on a developer’s agreement with Walmart.