RECENT FATAL ACCIDENT DRAWS SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT LITTLE CHICAGO ROAD

[My Northern Wisconsin]

   

Since the fatal accident (see related story) at the intersection of Hwy. 13 and Little Chicago Road/Hwy. 111 in August 2025, residents have contacted My Price County and written on Facebook wondering what can be done to make the intersection safer.

Some residents continue to state there are vehicles that do not stop when crossing Hwy. 13 at this location.  People have suggested lighted signage, rumble strips, or some other type of road safety implementation.

In early September, My Price County contacted Jim Michler, chairman of the Town of Worcester.  At that time, he said no one had contacted him about the intersection, but he said that anyone could send him a request to look into it.  He said that all requests must be in writing.

Since there were a good number of people concerned about this, Lynne Bohn, on behalf of My Price County and its concerned readers, sent a request to the town chairman asking for the board to look into what can be done to make the intersection less dangerous.  Jim stated he would talk with Tony Kemnitz, the Wisconsin DOT Traffic Safety Engineer for the North Central Region.  Since the initial contact, Jim stated more residents have contacted him with safety concerns at that intersection.

Regarding the intersection, Tony Kemnitz stated, "The intersection was a flagged safety spot in the 2019-2023 crash data period.  However, it did not rise to the level of our top 40 crash spots in our annual safety screening process.  We annually review the top 40-50 crash spots in the north central region for possible safety upgrades via an HSIP funded project.  This most recent crash will be added to the statewide crash database and will be considered as part of our future screening of high crash locations in need for possible HSIP safety improvements."

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Tony added that rumble strips (pads) could be added to Little Chicago Road, which would be the town's expense.  He included information regarding placement and other factors for the town board to consider.

Tony also stated, "After this most recent crash, we assessed signing on the intersection approaches and are in process of having the signs upgraded.  Per our signing and marking staff, new stop signs and stop ahead signs with supplemental reflective strips / orange metal safety flags have been ordered.  Price County Highway will install these new signs when they come in.  As part of our review, sign placement was evaluated and adjusted to conform to current guidelines to enhance the signs visibility / effectiveness.  Roger Petrick at Price County Highway has decided to have the stop signs upgraded to LED blinkers signs to further draw attention to the need to stop at WIS 13."

Jim Michler advised that the possible addition of rumble strips will be discussed at the next Town of Worcester board meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

My Price County asked Sheriff Brian Schmidt and United Pride Dairy if they would like to make a public comment addressing residents' concerns that have been expressed on Facebook.  We have not heard back from either of them at this time, but we will update this article if they provide comments.


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