MONROE — In 2018, it was flooding, and in recent weeks, it has been construction that has prompted officials to remind residents that barriers in the road are in place for drivers’ safety and should not be moved.
During a meeting of Monroe Common Council April 1, Monroe Fire Chief Dan Smits reminded everyone to adhere to the signs indicating a rerouting of Wisconsin 11 as part of an overhaul of the highway. Work began in the final week of March and Smits said there had already been roughly four instances in which he found drivers had moved barriers.
Signs and cones were set in place for a reason, he said to council members. The barricades are meant to keep drivers safe.
The defiance of local drivers is usually noted when high floodwaters take over highways within the county. In May, Green County Highway Commissioner Chris Narveson and former sheriff Mark Rohloff recommended a change to the county board. They proposed the county adhere to state statute 84.02(4)(e) and have a uniform set of traffic control standards.
At the time, Rohloff informed county supervisors that water rescues due to flooding that spring had prompted the need for a change, including a fine up to $200 and a misdemeanor charge prosecuted by Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen.
The ordinance, which was included in the Title 8, Chapter 1-2-6 portion of Green County Code, specifies that “any person who, without lawful authority, removes, takes down, alters the position of, destroys, passes over or beyond any barrier” or drives on a portion of highway meant to be blocked off or travels in any way in an area which holds construction materials will be fined and held liable for the cost of damages along the highway.
Smits said during the meeting that in his tenure with past fire departments, he has been a part of road construction projects. He encouraged the public to follow all posted instructions, though did note that he planned to offer suggestions to project managers after hearing complaints from the public and seeing merit in possible changes. Smits added that he would be “ecstatic” if there were no traffic accidents in that area through fall, when the project on 5.5 miles of the highway is slated to end.