County J (Pewaukee Road) and County FT (Northview Road)

Waukesha County’s upcoming reconstruction of the County J (Pewaukee Road) and County FT (Northview Road) intersection offers key insights into applying for the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant. With a history of 16 angle crashes between 2017 and 2021, the project addresses critical safety concerns and traffic inefficiencies. The County has secured 90% of the project’s cost through HSIP funding.

The success of this application provides a valuable roadmap for local governments seeking similar grants. Here are key takeaways for applying to HSIP:

1. Clear Safety Goals: The project aimed to improve safety by redesigning the intersection, improving visibility, and reducing crashes. A specific, data-backed safety issue is crucial.
2. Focus on Data: The application emphasized the intersection’s crash history, with 16 crashes and 11 injuries, providing strong evidence for the need for improvements.
3. Alignment with HSIP Priorities: HSIP prioritizes low-cost, high-impact projects. For the County J & FT intersection, improvements like offset left-turn lanes and raised medians fit these criteria.
4. Address Challenges: Common obstacles such as project delays or cost estimation can be managed by planning ahead and aligning with HSIP’s guidelines.
5. Measure Success: Success will be evaluated through reduced crash rates and injuries at the intersection, demonstrating HSIP’s effectiveness.

By following these steps, local agencies can increase their chances of securing HSIP funding and enhancing road safety in their communities.