Traffic at Thomas St and Grand Av in Wausau, WI. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – Utility work at the intersection of Thomas Street and Grand Avenue in Wausau has been underway for about a week now, with traffic and safety concerns increasing since.
“There’s always going to be a safety concern when there’s construction, especially at a busy intersection,” said Andrew Kutchenriter, a patrol officer with the Wausau Police Department.
In particular, city officials say they’ve received complaints of drivers making illegal right turns from Thomas Street to go south on Grand Avenue, despite multiple signs telling them not to.
“They’re supposed to go straight across to Prospect [Avenue] and take that if they’re trying to take a right. Some of them will try to take a right because that right turn is closed right now,” said Eric Lindman, the city’s public works director.
If you’re headed toward that intersection, officials recommend being prepared for traffic lines to take up more time than you might be used to. “I think if you have alternative routes for the next week or so, maybe travel those, but otherwise just follow the signs and the detours,” Lindman said.
Above all, police recommend good driving habits in this area, especially until the work is finished.
If you’re in a work zone and are caught making an illegal turn in Wausau, Kutchenriter says the fine would be $136.60. A citation in a non-work zone would be $98.80.
The project should be done by late next week.
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