BRODHEAD — The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is asking for public comment through April 20 on a project that seeks to improve the safety of the Wis. 81 and County T intersection south of Brodhead.

The DOT is proposing turning the current two-way stopping intersection into a roundabout. The intersection is on the border of Green and Rock Counties. The road would be closed to through traffic during construction and detours would be utilized.

According to the DOT website: The intersection will be closed to through traffic during construction. A detour route will be posted for Wis. 81 traffic utilizing Wis. 11 and Wis. 213. Detours will not be posted for County T traffic. Access to local residences and businesses will be maintained throughout construction.

Construction is anticipated to take place in 2026.

According to the DOT, there were 13 crashes at the intersection in a five year period from 2015-19. One accident was fatal, and another four saw injuries.

The trends showed that in 62% of those accidents, drivers failed to yield or to stop. High speeds and a skewed view of the intersection have also been contributing factors.

Alternatives to the project include no action, and the intersection would likely continue to experience a high volume of crash rates with risks of injuries or fatalities. 

The roundabout would get rid of direct right-angle crashes — also known as T-Bone — and would have single-lane entries. A 2015 state safety study found that in roundabouts reduced fatal and severe injuries in crashes by 40%.

To contact the DOT with questions or concerns, call 608-245-2652 or email Christopher.Hazard@dot.wi.gov.