NEW GLARUS - Have an opinion about County NN? Steve Johnston wants to hear it.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is considering making a request to the Green County Board to permanently turn County NN into two roads, both ending in cul-de-sacs in New Glarus Woods State Park.
County NN runs west from Wisconsin 69 to County N, southwest of New Glarus.
Johnston, the manager of the DNR's Green County Work Unit, sent letters to municipalities, residents who live along County NN and organizations soliciting feedback on the DNR's proposal.
According to the letter, the DNR wants to close the highway to alleviate traffic congestion and excessive speed, restore tranquility to the area and lessen animal deaths, all of which cause problems with park operation.
Johnston said a benefit of the closure would be possible additions to the park of 40 campsites, including electric sites, three new group camping sites, a flush toilet and shower building, dump station, new office, storage building and a nature center.
"Right now, we're exploring this idea with baby steps," Johnston said. "We want to get input and then I can go to my superiors at the DNR to see if this is the right time."
Proposals to close County NN to through traffic came up in 1980, then again in 1998 and 2002. Every time, local opposition stopped the proposals from going forward.
This time, so far, Johnston said, he's received support from residents of six of 10 homes along NN, New Glarus Fire, New Glarus EMS, New Glarus Visions, the Ice Age Trails Foundation and Friends of Wisconsin State Parks. There has been no opposition yet.
The New Glarus Village Board Tuesday night discussed the DNR proposal. Johnston said the board asked excellent questions.
"They didn't want to commit to anything right now," Johnston said. "They had no immediate opposition to it."
Village Administrator Nic Owen said the board plans to take a wait-and-see approach on the proposal. He said the issue won't appear on any village agendas again unless someone specifically requests it does.
Johnston said New Glarus Woods averages 45,000 visitors per year. The new facilities could more than double the amount of visitors, and pour more money into the local economy.
"This would have a large impact locally," Johnston said. "I am certain of it."
The closure of County NN to through traffic, Johnston said, would decrease the number of near-collisions and accidents. Johnston said there's at least one near miss a day.
Johnston said speeding is a significant problem on the road, which sees 400 to 800 vehicles a day, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
The last time the DNR proposed closing NN, Johnston had a staff member run radar from a maintenance truck and keep a log. The majority of through traffic vehicles were over the speed limit, Johnston said, and 15 percent were traveling over 40 mph. The speed limit is 25 mph.
Closure also would reduce the number of animals being killed on the road, which Johnston said diminishes the experience for park visitors. Johnston said park staff removes various animal carcasses at least once a week.
Johnston said the DNR has attempted to remedy the problems by lowering the speed limit, adding signs, increasing enforcement and requesting assistance from other law enforcement agencies.
"The situation has worsened over the years," Johnston said. "And personally, I feel this has dragged on for too long, for supporters and people who are opposed.
"Eliminating the through road is the only permanent solution to this problem."
Johnston said there is no timetable to approach the Green County Board with the proposal.
Green County Highway Commissioner Dallas Cecil in 1998 said the Green County Highway Committee was not opposed to the project, as long as the DNR had public hearings and there was no opposition from property owners along NN. He said it's unlikely the committee's opinion has changed.
Johnston plans to contact Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, and Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, to see if anyone has contacted them with an opinion about the plan.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is considering making a request to the Green County Board to permanently turn County NN into two roads, both ending in cul-de-sacs in New Glarus Woods State Park.
County NN runs west from Wisconsin 69 to County N, southwest of New Glarus.
Johnston, the manager of the DNR's Green County Work Unit, sent letters to municipalities, residents who live along County NN and organizations soliciting feedback on the DNR's proposal.
According to the letter, the DNR wants to close the highway to alleviate traffic congestion and excessive speed, restore tranquility to the area and lessen animal deaths, all of which cause problems with park operation.
Johnston said a benefit of the closure would be possible additions to the park of 40 campsites, including electric sites, three new group camping sites, a flush toilet and shower building, dump station, new office, storage building and a nature center.
"Right now, we're exploring this idea with baby steps," Johnston said. "We want to get input and then I can go to my superiors at the DNR to see if this is the right time."
Proposals to close County NN to through traffic came up in 1980, then again in 1998 and 2002. Every time, local opposition stopped the proposals from going forward.
This time, so far, Johnston said, he's received support from residents of six of 10 homes along NN, New Glarus Fire, New Glarus EMS, New Glarus Visions, the Ice Age Trails Foundation and Friends of Wisconsin State Parks. There has been no opposition yet.
The New Glarus Village Board Tuesday night discussed the DNR proposal. Johnston said the board asked excellent questions.
"They didn't want to commit to anything right now," Johnston said. "They had no immediate opposition to it."
Village Administrator Nic Owen said the board plans to take a wait-and-see approach on the proposal. He said the issue won't appear on any village agendas again unless someone specifically requests it does.
Johnston said New Glarus Woods averages 45,000 visitors per year. The new facilities could more than double the amount of visitors, and pour more money into the local economy.
"This would have a large impact locally," Johnston said. "I am certain of it."
The closure of County NN to through traffic, Johnston said, would decrease the number of near-collisions and accidents. Johnston said there's at least one near miss a day.
Johnston said speeding is a significant problem on the road, which sees 400 to 800 vehicles a day, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
The last time the DNR proposed closing NN, Johnston had a staff member run radar from a maintenance truck and keep a log. The majority of through traffic vehicles were over the speed limit, Johnston said, and 15 percent were traveling over 40 mph. The speed limit is 25 mph.
Closure also would reduce the number of animals being killed on the road, which Johnston said diminishes the experience for park visitors. Johnston said park staff removes various animal carcasses at least once a week.
Johnston said the DNR has attempted to remedy the problems by lowering the speed limit, adding signs, increasing enforcement and requesting assistance from other law enforcement agencies.
"The situation has worsened over the years," Johnston said. "And personally, I feel this has dragged on for too long, for supporters and people who are opposed.
"Eliminating the through road is the only permanent solution to this problem."
Johnston said there is no timetable to approach the Green County Board with the proposal.
Green County Highway Commissioner Dallas Cecil in 1998 said the Green County Highway Committee was not opposed to the project, as long as the DNR had public hearings and there was no opposition from property owners along NN. He said it's unlikely the committee's opinion has changed.
Johnston plans to contact Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, and Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, to see if anyone has contacted them with an opinion about the plan.