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Whiting says slow down on HH speed limit

By BRIAN LEAHY
of The Gazette
The Portage County Highway Committee and Whiting Village Board aren't seeing eye-to-eye on the speed limit for Highway HH through the village.

Highway Committee members met Tuesday morning, Aug. 10, and set a 35 mph limit on Highway HH from Echo Dells Avenue to the Interstate 39 interchange. The Whiting Village Board met later that day and upon hearing the new speed limit, said "not so fast."

The speed limit between Post Road to about Feltz Avenue in Whiting is now 25 mph.

A 35 mph speed limit is needed to move traffic, said County Board Chairman Clarence Hintz.

"No matter where you travel, all four-lane roads are at least 35 mph," Hintz said.

The existing Highway HH passes through a school zone near McDill Elementary School. The segment under construction travels past Ben Franklin Junior High School.

When school is in session, Highway HH traffic will have a 15 mph speed limit through both school zones, Hintz said.

As the maintaining authority, Portage County can set the speed limit, said Highway Commissioner William Weronke.

Both the county and village say they should set the speed limit for Highway HH in the village.

"We still have some control over it," said Whiting Village Board Member Al Walkush.

An existing section of Highway HH travels on McDill Avenue in the village of Whiting. Between Post Road and the new Wisconsin River bridge, Highway HH will run on portions of Church and Water streets in the village of Whiting and Water Street and Riverview Avenue in Stevens Point.

East of Post Road, Highway HH is a county highway, but the section under construction west of Post Road to the city limits has not yet been transferred from the village to the county, Whiting Village President Charles Kell said.

"This particular stretch is not a county highway yet," Kell said. "I think (the speed limit) can be an issue before we transfer."

Kell said he will discuss the speed limit issue with the county board chairman and highway commissioner.

With a 35 mph speed limit, getting across Highway HH will be hazardous, said Whiting Village Board Member Paul Krueger.

About six months ago, Whiting tried to reduce the speed limit on Highway HH to 25 mph to the village limits, but was unsuccessful, said Whiting Village Board Member Michael Grote.

Establishing the speed limit on Highway HH between Highway P and Water Street was on the Highway Committee agenda at the request of Kell, who as county planning and zoning director was responding to a traffic study by the Stevens Point Police Department. The traffic study asked for a 35 mph speed limit in the city, instead of the planned 25 mph speed limit, from where the 45 mph speed zone ends near the Highway HH bridge.

Dropping from 45 mph to 25 mph would be a speed trap, Highway Committee members said.



	Whiting says slow down on HH speed limit By BRIAN LEAHY of The Gazette The Portage County Highway Committee and Whiting Village Board aren't seeing eye-to-eye on the speed limit for Highway HH through the village. Highway Committee members met Tuesday morning, Aug. 10, and set a 35 mph limit on Highway HH from Echo Dells Avenue to the Interstate 39 interchange. The Whiting Village Board met later that day and upon hearing the new speed limit, said "not so fast." The speed limit between Post Road to about Feltz Avenue in Whiting is now 25 mph. A 35 mph speed limit is needed to move traffic, said County Board Chairman Clarence Hintz. "No matter where you travel, all four-lane roads are at least 35 mph," Hintz said. The existing Highway HH passes through a school zone near McDill Elementary School. The segment under construction travels past Ben Franklin Junior High School. When school is in session, Highway HH traffic will have a 15 mph speed limit through both school zones, Hintz said. As the maintaining authority, Portage County can set the speed limit, said Highway Commissioner William Weronke. Both the county and village say they should set the speed limit for Highway HH in the village. "We still have some control over it," said Whiting Village Board Member Al Walkush. An existing section of Highway HH travels on McDill Avenue in the village of Whiting. Between Post Road and the new Wisconsin River bridge, Highway HH will run on portions of Church and Water streets in the village of Whiting and Water Street and Riverview Avenue in Stevens Point. East of Post Road, Highway HH is a county highway, but the section under construction west of Post Road to the city limits has not yet been transferred from the village to the county, Whiting Village President Charles Kell said. "This particular stretch is not a county highway yet," Kell said. "I think (the speed limit) can be an issue before we transfer." Kell said he will discuss the speed limit issue with the county board chairman and highway commissioner. With a 35 mph speed limit, getting across Highway HH will be hazardous, said Whiting Village Board Member Paul Krueger. About six months ago, Whiting tried to reduce the speed limit on Highway HH to 25 mph to the village limits, but was unsuccessful, said Whiting Village Board Member Michael Grote. Establishing the speed limit on Highway HH between Highway P and Water Street was on the Highway Committee agenda at the request of Kell, who as county planning and zoning director was responding to a traffic study by the Stevens Point Police Department. The traffic study asked for a 35 mph speed limit in the city, instead of the planned 25 mph speed limit, from where the 45 mph speed zone ends near the Highway HH bridge. Dropping from 45 mph to 25 mph would be a speed trap, Highway Committee members said.