Highway F reconstruction causes controversy

By Bethe Croy

Staff Writer

Reconstruction on Highway F, just east of County Highway O outside of Randall Consolidated School, has sparked concern among some residents.

One such resident, Megan Swederski said many local residents are unaware of the reconstruction, and the matter was not widely discussed with those directly affected.

Swederski started a petition and has been going door to door to spread awareness of the situation.

“We want to keep it civil and just keep people informed,” Swederski said.

Swederski said the reconstruction is not only harmful to the properties it impacts, but also potentially dangerous to the children at Randall Consolidated School.

The curves on the proposed reconstruction area are sharp, leading locals to be concerned over possible accidents.

Ronald Schildt, transportation engineer for Kenosha County, said the reconstruction is taking place because the current roadway does not meet the county requirements. Furthermore, the reconstruction would allow for access to parklands.

“It would actually make a safer roadway,” Schildt said.

This project has been on the list for a couple decades at least, he said. The county just received funding to make it happen through a grant, which will cover 80 percent of the cost of the project.

Swederski said her family moved into their current home, currently in the affected area, in August. If they had known about the possible reconstruction, however, they wouldn’t have moved there, she said.

“My main goal in this petition is to stop it and raise awareness,” Swederski said.

Though the threat of land is a common concern among those signing the petition, Schildt said most of the area is already parkland rather than private land.

“The majority of the construction goes through land already owned by Kenosha County,” Schildt said.

Concerning those whose property will be affected – specifically closer to Highway O – the homeowners would get their property appraised and go through negotiations with the county.

Schildt said they are still trying to collect information of what the objections to the reconstruction are since he doesn’t think many of those signing the online petition discussed these concerns at the public meeting last week.

“The best thing would be to keep an open dialogue,” Schildt said. “I just hope that the right information is being put out there.”

Highway Commissioner Gary Sipsma said the meeting last week was just an introduction to get the conversation started and receive feedback from the community.

There were many people at the meeting who were strongly in favor of the reconstruction, and getting feedback of any kind is important as they start looking at this project, he said.

“Pro, con, for, against – we need all the information so that we can make decisions,” Sipsma said.

Since they still don’t know what the exact boundaries of the road are and nothing has been determined permanently, it is the best time for the community to give comments and suggestions, whether positive or negative, he said.

“We absolutely take everything into consideration,” Sipsma said. “As far as I’m aware, that road can be built without severing a parcel.”

The conversation about the reconstruction is just starting, and Schildt said they wouldn’t likely be starting the project for another three years or so.


Posted

in

by

Tags: