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Consideration of request from Engineering Division to install all-way stop control at the 114th Street intersection with Clarke Street, 115th Street intersection with Clarke Street, and 115th Street intersection with Meinecke Street
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Submitted by:
Michael May, PE, PTOE, RSP1
Department:
DPW - Engineering Division
A. Issue
Visual obstructions may block lines of sight and may not allow a road user to stop in compliance with the normal right-of-way rule.
B. Background/Options
At the request of Alderperson Fuerst and former Alderperson Morgan, the Engineering Division performed a crash analysis and in-field review of intersections and parking behaviors along 114th Street, 115th Street, and 116th Street between North Avenue and Center Street. The area is well-traveled in the morning and afternoon by high school students at Wauwatosa West High School.
The City has adopted a policy that follows national standards related to the installation of yield and stop signs. The policy allows residents to request consideration for stop signs when they believe a condition, as described in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), has been met. The warrants for all-way stop control are outlined below.
• Sight distance on the minor-road approaches controlled by a STOP sign is not adequate for a vehicle to turn onto or cross the major (uncontrolled) road. At such a location, a road user, after stopping, cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop.
• For a four-leg intersection, there are five or more reported crashes in a 12-month period or six or more reported crashes in a 36-month period that were of a type susceptible to correction by the installation of all-way stop control.
• The combined motor vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian volume entering the intersection from the major-street approaches is at least 300 units per hour for each of any 8 hours of a typical day; and the combined motor vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian volume entering the intersection from the minor-street approaches is at least 200 units per hour for each of any of the same 8 hours.
At the 114th Street & Clarke Street intersection (no stopping on Clarke Street) and 115th Street & Clarke Street (no stopping on Clarke Street) intersection, sight distance is not adequate during the school day for motorists to see cross-traffic from a stopped condition. It is for this reason that all-way stop control is recommended. Note that, though crashes do not meet thresholds as outlined above, three angle crashes have occurred at 115th Street & Clarke Street since 2021 with two of them involving drivers 18 or younger.
At 115th & Meinecke Street (no stopping on 115th Street), the angle of the intersection and a hill to the south of the intersection make it difficult for motorists to see cross-traffic from a stopped condition. It is for this reason that all-way stop control is recommended. Note that, though crashes do not meet thresholds as outlined above, three crashes have occurred at 115th Street & Meinecke Street since 2022 with two of them involving drivers 18 or younger. The latest crash in February of 2026 involved an 18-year old driver on 115th Street who was struck by a driver leaving Meinecke Street, the crash coming to rest in the southwest corner of the intersection.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Priority 2: Public Safety, Goal 2. Proactively address pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular safety
D. Fiscal Impact
Minor expenses for the in-house creation and installation of signs. The existing sign budget will accommodate these expenses.
E. Recommendation
Direct staff to prepare a resolution to install all-way stop control at the 114th Street intersection with Clarke Street, 115th Street intersection with Clarke Street, and 115th Street intersection with Meinecke Street.