Council approves Main Street traffic study

By Dave Fidlin

Correspondent

A prospective business owner’s desire to operate along one of Whitewater’s highest profile roadways has sparked a desire to conduct a traffic study that could cost up to $7,500.

The Common Council on April 9 backed City Manager Cameron Clapper’s plans to study current and projected traffic patterns along the west side of Main Street, between Indian Mound Parkway and Pearson Lane.

“The city has recently been contacted by a potential business that is investigating the possibility of locating … on the current vacant property next to Taco Bell,” said Clapper, who declined to name the business since a firm offer to purchase the property has not yet been made.

But the business’ pursuit of operating on the dormant parcel comes with a caveat: The entity would like infrastructure accommodations tweaked along Main Street so there would be a direct access point leading into the business.

While the area in question was once controlled by the state Department of Transportation, oversight has since shifted to the city, meaning a final decision can be made locally.

However, before asking the council to make a final decision on the request, Clapper said he felt it prudent to have a traffic analysis conducted. Strand Engineering is being tapped for the project.

The potential business development issue aside, Clapper said he believed now would be a prudent time to have a new traffic analysis of the area.

“The latest data is from 1999 and was conducted prior to the construction of the bypass,” Clapper said. “This is one of the many critical aspects in determining the future growth of this area.”