Some business owners on 26th Street in Manitowoc don’t like the preliminary layout of a possible roundabout at 26th and Custer Streets.
The plan was discussed along with other road projects in a proposed renovation of Wisconsin Highway 42 between S. Rapids Road and 8th Street during a Public Involvement Meeting hosted by the Wisconsin DOT.
Some parts of the plan include adding Continuous-Two-Way-Left-Turns on Dewey, Grand, and 35th Streets to make it easier for drivers to turn left.
Washington Street past 25th Street would also be reduced from two lanes to one with a left turn lane and a bike path on the right.
But the roundabout was the main issue in the discussion with Wisconsin DOT officials.
Transportation Manager with Ayers Associates in Green Bay Troy Robillard says the roundabout is to make it safer for drivers to get through the oddly shaped intersection.
But Chris Wallace with Custer Street Automotive and Towing says the way it’s designed would take business away from him.
“Forgive me if I’m slightly passionate about that,” he said. “That’s my livelihood, it’s my legacy in this town being a second-generation business owner in this area for the last 54 years already. I don’t think there was enough consideration taken into it and I think we need some more thought on it.”
Proposed Highway 42 Roundabout in Manitowoc
Another person from David’s House of Travel says she doesn’t like the reasoning for the roundabout change when the intersection has already caused issues.
“It’s because I was told they wouldn’t have to buy any real estate,” she explained. “If that’s the reason you’re doing it, that’s not a very good reason. We’ve all lived through a change at this intersection, and I don’t want to do it again. Try to figure out how you’re going to get in here (26th Street) because I’ve shown this to clients and they’ve said, ‘We’re not coming down here, we’re not even going through that’.”
Project Manager Brian Haen says the Wisconsin DOT and Ayers will try to make accommodations for the concerned businesses before the project starts six years later.
“This is obviously our first try at it, and it’s a very very preliminary design,” he stated.
When asked if the roundabout ideas could be taken off the table Haen said, “Right now it’s the preferred alternative but there’s nothing saying it can’t be taken away.”
Wisconsin DOT Officials said the project ideas are in the very early stages and a final design isn’t supposed to be released until 2028.
Construction on the proposed roundabout and several other projects on Calumet Ave and Washington Streets would start in 2029.
