Wheatland approves reduction of 4-way stop

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

After several expressed traffic concerns on County Highway O and Geneva Road in the Town of Wheatland, board members are hoping that addition by subtraction can lead to better outcomes.

At its Town Board meeting March 14, members voted 3-0 in favor of removing the north and south stop signs from the four-way stop and replace it with an east-west flashing lights stop sign, therefore, making it a two-way stop.

Town Chairman William Glembocki told board members of an experience he incurred at the intersection, conveying it to Village Clerk Sheila Siegler.

“The other day I came through there and I told Sheila that a van went right through there and did not stop,” Glembocki said. “He was not looking down, he was not texting. He just blew right through the stop sign.”

The decision comes despite apprehension from the Town of Wheatland fire department, expressing an issue related to more traffic accidents on the intersection.

“We’re concerned that changing the intersection to a two-way stop may lead to more accidents,” said Fire Chief Brian Kerkman.

Glembocki said he consulted with the highway department, and learned the 4-way stop was a temporary fix.

While he acknowledged the fire department’s concern, he reported Highway Department personnel delivered positive reviews.

“The fire department might make issue of this, but the highway department was all for it and said it should have been done awhile ago,” Glembocki said. “That being said, I respect the fire department but will make it known there will be signs saying traffic pattern has changed and there will be flashing lights.”

Glembocki assured Kerkman and the department that extra patrols could be requested.

Additionally, Supervisor Andrew Lois said the change could be beneficial for Wheatland Center School during morning and afternoon bus routes, allowing easier flow on to Highway 50.

Heading northbound toward Highway 50, a sign warning motorists of a dangerous intersection is expected along with the traffic modification.

Other business
The board approved the installation of a cattle crossing sign near the 3400 block of 376th Avenue.


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One response to “Wheatland approves reduction of 4-way stop”

  1. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    I agree with Brian Kerkman. Changing the intersection to a two way instead of the four way stop, is not a good idea. There will be more accidents despite what the highway department says. In a year they’ll be wishing they had listened to him. Hopefully there won’t be any loss of life as data.