Burlington

Common Council tables motion on new pavement

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Staff Writer

After coming up with a variety of solutions other than the one presented to be voted on Tuesday night, the City of Burlington Common Council finally tabled a proposal to place T-turnarounds in the Spring Brook Landing development.

At the Sept. 4 Committee of the Whole meet, the council debated the merits of placing the T-intersections. Truck traffic continues to get stuck on both Spring Brook Drive and Hidden Creek lane because the roads there simply end.

However, while aldermen agreed at the Sept. 4 meeting that something needed to be done, there was no hint of the debate that erupted Tuesday night.

After the resolution came up for a vote, aldermen continued to argue on whether or not the city should make an attempt to extend the roads to Yahnke Road – where they were originally set to end.

However, several members of city staff pointed out that between the developer and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, negotiating for the right to that land could be exhaustive.

“We’re trying to create a cheaper solution,” said City Administrator Kevin Lahner.

After he made that point, many of the aldermen latched onto the fact that originally, the plan was to do the work the way it was slated – as T-intersections – because of space, not because of costs.

Members of the council also wanted to see additional signage put up to prevent trucks from trying to go down the road. At the Sept. 4 meeting, it was pointed out that GPS systems don’t always have the updated maps, creating a situation where truck drivers get stuck thinking there is still an exit onto Yahnke Road.

Alderman Bob Prailes then suggested, “Can we put up a sign that reads, ‘Dead End – Screw GPS?’” After the laughter died down, Alderman Ed Johnson called the question, and the council eventually decided to table the motion until more options could be considered.

2 Comments

  1. I hope someone from the Council reads this!

    I live in that area. First of all it’s residential and there should BE NOT SEMI’s there in the first place!

    They do need more signs posted that say NO TRUCKS & NO OUTLET

    If the truckers are still insistent enough they can drive down Hidden Creek, then they need to take their blinders off and see that a left onto Spring Brook will end up at a dirt pile and turn right and end back at Pine St. Maybe a no left turn sign for semis at that intersection will help. (then again maybe not)

    You should see the number of semis making a u-turn at Pine St & Hidden Creek when they have missed the bypass! That’s very interesting to watch! And as soon as they damage that road (my driveway is right off Hidden Creek) you can bet I’ll be getting the city’s attention to fix it! That road is NOT strong enough for that. (and no I do not work in asphalt, but I saw the work as it was performed)

  2. Correction!

    Hidden Creek to Tributary & then the the right onto Spring Brook back to Pine St.

    No matter what – better signs and NO TRUCKS in the first place!