Slow down in construction zone

Speed limit on Highway 164 now at 40 mph

By Tracy Ouellette

Staff writer

At Monday night’s Waterford Town Board meeting, newly elected Chairman Tom Hincz wanted to get out the word to the public that the speed limit on Highway 164, from Highway 36 to the construction zone, has been lowered to 40 mph.

Hincz said he asked the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to lower the limit, which had been 55 mph, because the roadway is being removed as the highway project progresses in stages.

“If drivers are going 55 and playing dodge ball with the road, they’re not going to be on pavement – so good luck!” Hincz warned.

An increase in traffic through downtown Waterford has been noticed as a result of the construction bypass, even if the DOT’s signs marking the Highway 164 detour seem to be laying on the ground more often than standing upright.

Discussing the issue between board meetings Monday night, Public Works Director Ken Hinz said he planned to bring up the signs problem at this week’s meeting with the DOT.

Hincz said the temporary signs are adequately weighted but thinks maybe their base is not wide enough to withstand the high winds seen this time of year.

Public Works mutual aid

At Monday’s meeting, board members commended Hinz for his second term serving as president of the Racine County Public Works Mutual Aid Emergency Response Group.

The group links all public works departments in western Racine County and is designed to assist communities and residents in the event of a disaster, Hinz explained.

“It’s all about being prepared,” he said.

Police Chief Tom Ditscheit commented that the group is so well organized that, with a phone app, he can know the location of any and all public works equipment west of Interstate 94.

Hinz said afterward that he is proud to be part of the organization, which he was influential in creating. “I am very enthusiastic about it.”

For more Town Board coverage, see the May 17 edition of the Waterford Post.