DOT planning continues in La Crosse for three South Avenue roundabouts

A good crowd showed up at Central High School on Thursday night to hear from Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials on the planning for three roundabouts implemented along South Avenue.

Project supervisor Ian Winger said safety on the roads makes the change necessary.

“We’re going to remove a lot of those left turners off the roadway,” Winger said, “So they can’t conflict with all of the other vehicles.”

A study found that was the case for many of the car accidents.

Roundabouts are planned for West Avenue, 16th Street and Ward Avenue.

Construction is slated for 2022, the same year the DOT says they plan to make improvements to La Crosse Street.

The DOT has been in contact with property owners in the future construction zone about possible easements. According to Winger, the easements vary from property to property.

“We have a very good idea as to what those real estate impacts are for each property owner up and down the corridor,” Winger said. “Maybe just to replace a sidewalk, or it may involve some relocation along the route also.”

DOT officials also reassured those at the meeting that plenty of education would be given in the leadup to the project, as there was before the Cass Street roundabout was implemented.