WOOD COUNTY, WI (OnFocus) – In a unanimous decision, the Wood County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution Tuesday urging the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to implement critical safety measures at the intersection of US Highway 10 and State Highway 186 (STH 186). The resolution highlights the pressing need for infrastructure improvements, including the potential construction of an overpass, to address ongoing safety concerns.
The resolution stems from alarming statistics and tragic incidents that have made this intersection a focal point for community safety advocates. Since the redesign of US HWY 10 in 2014, three fatal vehicle crashes and 27 other crashes – some involving serious injuries – have occurred at this location. The most recent tragedy involved the death of a 17-year-old student in December 2024. Additionally, the area has seen 42 reports of drivers traveling the wrong way in just the past two years.
Efforts by the Wood County Sheriff’s Department to enhance patrol and enforcement have had a limited impact on reducing accidents, as acknowledged in the resolution. The board emphasized that infrastructure changes, rather than enforcement alone, are essential for meaningful improvements.
The resolution calls on WisDOT to explore all viable safety enhancements, explicitly recommending an overpass as a long-term solution. In addition to submitting the resolution to WisDOT, the board has directed the county clerk to forward it to Governor Tony Evers and state legislators representing Wood County.
Local leaders have reached out to state legislators for support and are encouraging residents to do the same. Community involvement is seen as pivotal in accelerating WisDOT’s response to this urgent matter.
The resolution underscores the board’s commitment to the health, safety, and welfare of Wood County residents and all who travel through the area.
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Author: News Desk
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