Crashes rise on State, Wells Streets since conversion to 2-way traffic

Feb. 16, 2006 -- Traffic accidents on W. Wells and W. State Streets soared in stretches they were converted from one-way to two-way traffic in the year following the change, city records show.

The number of reported traffic accidents on Wells St. from N. 11th St. to N. 35th St. jumped 54%, from 87 the year before the May 1, 2004 coversion to 134 the year after, according to a report prepared for Ald. Michael Murphy.

Accidents on State St. rose from 48 to 57, an increase of 19%.

Wells St. carries about 20% more traffic than State St. does, City Engineer Jeff Polenske wrote in a memo to Murphy.

The Common Council's Public Safety Committee is expected on Thursday to discuss expanding the two-way area of the streets east to N. 6th St.

Murphy asked for the accident information after being nearly involved in three crashes and witnessing numerous crashesaccidets during his commutes between City Hall and his home in Story Hill.

"No notable change has occurred in the volume of traffic carried by these roadways combined," Polenske wrote. "However, it must be noted that traffic patterns in this area are currently not stable due to road closures and freewy access changes related to the Marquette Interchange reconstruction."

Murphy said he has requested an update of the study.

The two-way stretches along Wells and State creates alternative east-west routes for traffic that normally would use the Wisconsin Ave. bridge, which has been closed for reconstruction as part of the Marquette project, Polenske wrote.

Both Marquette University and the Avenues West community group supported the two-way conversion, Polenske wrote.

"One-way traffic flow on both West Wells Street and West State Street can support larger volumes of traffic and more efficient operation for longer trips than can be seen with two-way traffic," Polenske said. "However, the one-way traffic pattern has a negative impact on local traffic circulation and land use access due to travel indirection created."