DOT looking at dangerous Oconomowoc intersection, but change unlikely soon

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is looking at the intersection of a recent fatal crash that has long concerned residents, but action is unlikely to come soon.

Molly Dunn, 38, of Oconomowoc died in a crash at Highways CW and 67 in the town of Oconomowoc on April 17. Three others, including two juveniles, were injured.

The town board of nearby Ashippun, which is just north of the intersection, recently voted to send a resolution to the town of Oconomowoc about making the intersection safer.

Oconomowoc Town Chairman Bob Hultquist agrees that something needs to be done.

“When that intersection was first put up, I was out there with the former chief of police and someone from the DOT ,and they said this is not going to work. This is dangerous. You’re going to have a lot of accidents there," Hultquist said. "They couldn’t afford to do anything there. They couldn’t do more than a stop sign."

This intersection is under state jurisdiction, and any modifications would need to be initiated by the Wisconsin DOT. Michael Pyritz, southeast region communications manager for the DOT office of public affairs, said that data from 2016-20 shows  just under two accidents per year at the intersection.

But according to data from Waukesha County, there have been 29 crashes at the intersection, including four fatalities and 25 injuries, since 2000.

"We are aware there are some concerns at this location," Pyritz said. "The crash rate is rather low for that type of intersection, so there are others in the region we would be more inclined to be taking more immediate action due to the fact that they have higher crash rates."

There are no plans at the moment for improvements or adjustments to the intersection.

"We do have this on our radar," Pyritz said. "We do know the locals have expressed concern and thoughts about that location."

The town hopes more can be done sooner rather than later.

"Something has to be done with this after the latest fatality," Hultquist said. "This was the fourth at the intersection in addition to a lot of bumps and bruises."

Drew Dawson can be reached at ddawson@jrn.com or (262) 289-1324.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: DOT looking at dangerous Oconomowoc intersection, change unlikely soon