Updated as of June 2025
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is in the process of developing plans for proposed safety improvements at the intersection of WIS 32 and County V in the town of Lima in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. The purpose of this website is to provide information regarding proposed safety improvements, describe the potential impacts it would have on the community, and offer an opportunity for public comment.
Project location
The intersection of WIS 32 and County V is located between Cedar Grove and Sheboygan Falls in the town of Lima in Sheboygan County.
Project purpose and need
The intersection has a history of crashes. Since 2000, there have been 36 crashes with half of those resulting in injury or death. In 2022 , flashing red lights were added to the stop signs on County V. However, crashes have continued to occur at the same rate and severity as prior to installation and are not helping to improve safety at the intersection. The following are statistics of the crashes at this intersection since 2000 according to law enforcement:
- 36 total crashes
- 16 crashes resulted in the injury of 33 people
- 2 crashes resulted in the death of 2 people
- 28 crashes were right-angle (T-bone) crashes, the most severe type
- Only 1 crash was the result of failure to stop
As the crash statistics show, a majority of crashes occur when County V traffic fails to yield to oncoming WIS 32 traffic. This is likely caused by a lack of vision created by:
- Vertical curve (dip in the roadway) on WIS 32 north of County V, where sight distance looking north is causing County V drivers to misjudge gaps in WIS 32 traffic.
- Trees and a house in the northeast quadrant of the intersection is within the required area that should be kept clear to maintain proper vision at the intersection. This causes County V drivers to pull further into the intersection to see properly and prevents WIS 32 drivers from seeing County V traffic entering or crossing the highway, which reduces opportunities to avoid crashes.
The purpose is simple – create a safer intersection.
Alternatives considered
The following alternatives have been considered to address the safety concerns at the WIS 32 and County V intersection. Please click the link to see the alternatives considered and view information regarding all considered alternatives.
Preferred Alternative: Single-lane roundabout
Construction of a single-lane roundabout is the preferred alternative. This alternative would reconstruct the intersection as a single-lane roundabout. The intersection would be shifted to the west to create proper vision at the intersection. The northern leg of WIS 32 would be reconstructed to create better visibility of oncoming traffic with the profile.
Preferred Alternative benefits
A roundabout intersection reduces the conflict points (potential conflicting movements that could result in crashes) that exist with the intersection today. Reducing the conflict points reduces the crashes at the intersection.
- There are 32 conflict points at a traditional four-leg intersection compared to eight conflict points with a roundabout intersection, as shown below.
Roundabouts also reduce crash severity by completely eliminating right angle type crashes from potentially occurring and, by design, slowing traffic down when entering, exiting, and circulating the roundabout.
- A study by the TOPS Lab at UW-Madison found converting two-way stop control intersections to single lane roundabouts decreases fatal and injury crashes by 51.9% and 58.2% in rural and urban areas, respectfully.
This alternative would improve intersection visibility, improve safety by slowing traffic down and removing potential conflict points, and would still allow the state highway mobility. Additionally, the roundabout alternative would not relocate any properties and would require approximately 1.1 acres of right of way impacts (which is less than the offset T alternative) and cost $2.8 million (which is similar to the offset T alternative).
- Since this alternative meets the purpose and need with the biggest improvement without being the most impactful, the roundabout is chosen as the preferred alternative.
Proposed improvements
Due to the crash history at the WIS 32 and County V intersection, this project received federal funds from the Highway Safety Improvement Program. These federal safety funds are only given to projects experiencing significant safety issues. This intersection is in the top 5 percent of the worst-performing intersections in Wisconsin.
Proposed improvements include reconstructing the intersection as a single-lane roundabout, including:
- Shifting intersection to the south and west
- Improving the profile of the northern leg to improve visibility
- Relocating driveway for access to the southwest quadrant to be along County V
- Relocating driveway for access to the southeast quadrant to be further east on County V
- Providing median openings on the west, north, and east legs of the intersection to maintain full access to adjacent properties
- Mountable curb and truck apron in the center of the roundabout to accommodate truck/farm equipment
- New pavement structure to accommodate truck/farm equipment
- New culvert and storm sewer installation
- Improving drainage at the intersection
- New pavement marking and signing
- New intersection lighting
Schedule
- Public Involvement Meeting: February 4, 2025
- Environmental Document: Summer 2025
- Real estate acquisition is anticipated to begin: Fall 2025
- Design is on-going and will continue through 2027
- Utility relocations: 2027
- Construction is tentatively scheduled for Spring/Summer 2028
Traffic impacts
The WIS 32 and County V intersection will be closed to through traffic during construction. A detour will be posted for WIS 32 traffic, likely utilizing I-43 and WIS 28, but the route has not been finalized.
- Note that state highway detours need to provide appropriate routes for long-haul trucking. Non-truck traffic may find shorter routes using the local roadway system.
- Local access to adjacent properties and businesses within the project limits will be maintained and coordinated with property owners.
Real estate
Right-of-way acquisitions in the form of permanent (FEE) and Temporary Limited Easement (TLE) are anticipated to accommodate the reconstruction of the intersection.
- A member of the real estate team will contact affected property owners at the start of the real estate acquisition process.
Business Resource: WisDOT’s In This Together program
WisDOT recognizes businesses located in work zones or impacted by detour routes have special needs. WisDOT's In This Together program is offered to business, organizations and community leaders as an idea source as they plan for road construction in their area. It includes promotional examples, case studies and a specially designed Business Coordination Guide with information on:
- Planning ahead
- Staying informed
- Keeping customers informed
- Tips for businesses
- Temporary business signing during closures and detours
Public input/comments and frequently asked questions
A public involvement meeting was held at the Lima Town Hall on February 4, 2025.
Public input and comments were received at that meeting and in the following weeks. The project team received several similar comments and questions. Therefore, to address all of those, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document has been prepared.
The project team appreciates public input and comments. You may submit input and comments at any time to WisDOT using one of the following methods:
- Fill out the comment form attached to the WIS 32/County V Public Handout linked above and mail to WisDOT
- Email comments or questions to the contact listed below.
- Call the contact below.
Project contacts
Sarah Ericson, P.E., Project Manager
WisDOT Northeast Region
944 Vanderperren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304
Phone: (920) 492-3511
Email:
sarah.ericson@dot.wi.gov