CHAPTER 4

TRANSPORTATION

 

4.1       Background

 

This is the fourth of nine chapters that compose the City of Park Falls Comprehensive Plan. 

 

According to “The Free Dictionary” by Farlex, a transportation system is defined as a facility consisting of the means and equipment necessary for the movement of passengers or goods.  Park Falls’ transportation system relies heavily on vehicular modes, which is typical for smaller rural communities in Wisconsin and includes all roadways and trails.  The City has rail service, cab service and an active airport. 

 

A.  Previous Studies

 

“Corridors 2020”

 

Corridors 2020 is a component of Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation highway improvements plan created in the 1980’s.  Needs were accessed and highways classified, taking economic factors into consideration.  Their goal was to complete improvements that connect communities with populations of 5,000 or larger to a state highway system by 2005.  Over 900 miles of new highways have been built since the implementation of this plan, and modifications continue to be made to accommodate the growing needs in Wisconsin.  As of February 2008, there was an 11,800-mile State Highway System and over 100,000 miles of local streets and county roads.   

 

This plan is important for municipalities because it links economic development with Wisconsin’s highway system.  According to a WisDOT study on manufacturing plant locations from 1990 to 2001, “new or expanding industrial firms created over 80,000 jobs” and “90 percent of these jobs are [were] located within 4 miles of a Corridors 2020 highway” (Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 2006).  Having these connections for services, goods and people allows economic expansion.  According to this plan, Highway 13 in Park Falls is designated as a 2-lane connector route.

 

“Translinks 21”

 

This was the beginning of Wisconsin’s needs-based plans and was created in 1994.  It is a 25-year multi-modal transportation plan and contains numerous modal plans incorporated within it, including:

Ø      Wisconsin Pedestrian Policy Plan 2020

Ø      State Highways Plan 2020

Ø      Airport System Plan 2020

Ø      Bicycle Transportation Plan 2020

Ø      Wisconsin Rail Issues and Opportunities Report

Ø      No plans exist for transit or local roads

“Connection 2030”

 

This is Wisconsin’s long-range plan that is expected to last through the year 2030.   It is policy-based, focusing on funding levels and all transportation forms:  highways, local roads, air, water, bicycle, water, rail, pedestrian and transit.  The goal of the plan is to improve individual components to better Wisconsin’s transportation system as a whole.  In addition to transportation issues, this plan makes recommendations for improving related issues such as environment, economic development and land use.  Numerous opportunities for public participation were given throughout the planning process. 

 

The POW/MIA Rememberance Corridor travels 130 miles from Abbotsford to Ashland, through Park Falls on Highway 13.  It is part of a passenger and freight corridor serving tourism, recreation, agriculture and forestry in north central Wisconsin.  This is an example of one corridor that has been identified and mapped as part of the Connections 2030 Plan. 

 

“State Trails Network Plan”

 

Created in 2001 by The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), this plan identifies a statewide network of trails.  It provides guidance to the DNR for land acquisition and development and forms partnerships among counties to manage trails.  The DNR acquires the corridor and the county governments develop, operate, and maintain the trail.

 

“North Central Wisconsin Regional Bicycle Facilities Network Plan”

 

This plan was created in 2004 by the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC).  The purpose of this plan was to promote bicycling as a productive and beneficial means of transportation in the North Central Region.  Bicycling in this area of the state is less popular than in the more urban areas such as Madison, even though the North Central Region has an abundance of natural resources to enjoy.  There are numerous trails and roadways connecting communities and popular destination points.  Traveling to these points boosts tourism in municipalities and promotes a healthy lifestyle while increasing mobility.          

 

B.  Transportation Issues

 

      -Upgrade Avgas Fuel System

      -Develop Hangar Area

      -Update ALP

      -Construct/Reconstruct Auto Parking

      -Purchase Snow Removal Equipment

      -Construct Snow Removal Equipment Building

      -Extend Apron and Taxiway

      -Airport Land Acquisition (Runway approaches)

 

4.2       Inventory and Trends

 

1.  Roads

 

In the City of Park Falls, roads are a vital component to development, allowing access to land and goods.  They are pathways for automobiles, pedestrians, bicyclists, all terrain vehicles (ATV’s), and snowmobiles.  Roads provide recreational opportunities and are essential for work and travel. 

 

Roadways are classified into four groups depending on the services they provide to people.  Each has specific criteria to follow such as lane and shoulder widths.  The classes are interstate system, other arterials, collectors and local roadways. 

 

 

 

Text Box: 1) Interstate System In the United States, this is the highest classification of roadways and provides the greatest mobility. The highest speeds, between 55 and 75 miles per hour (mph), are reached and the longest continued distances are covered. 2) Other Arterials These roadways include freeways, multilane highways, and other important roadways that connect urbanized areas, cities and industrial centers. Posted speeds are 50 to 70 mph and land access is limited. 3) Collectors Collectors connect arterials with local roads and streets. There is less mobility than Interstate Systems and arterials but more land access. Speeds are usually between 35 and 55 mph and for shorter distances. 4) Local Local roads compose the majority of roads in the United States and have speed limits between 20 and 45 mph. Speeds are decreased to provide primary access to residential areas, businesses, farms and other local areas.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1999 the highest fatality rates for combined speeding-related and non-speeding-related accidents were on collectors at 2.17 per 100 M VMT.  Local roads followed close behind with 2.13 while arterials were 1.48 and interstate systems at 0.87.  In the United States, the total road mileage traveled was greatest on local road composing 68.6 percent.  Collectors were second at 20.3 percent followed by arterials at 9.9 percent and interstate at 1.2 percent.  Travel was greatest on arterial roadways at 47.9 percent.  Interstate systems, collectors and locals were 23.9 percent, 14.7 percent and 13.4 percent respectively.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Park Falls has State Highways 13 and 182 intersecting, and State Highway 70 is located four miles south (in Fifield).  Both of these would be considered collectors.  Numerous interstate and intrastate trucking firms daily serve the City.  Park Falls maintains 22 miles of streets.  

 

Due to the rural location of the community, travel to urban areas is popular.  In addition, Park Falls hosts visitors from these cities.  The distances to popular destinations from Park Falls are:

 

*      Wausau- 100 miles

*      Duluth/Superior- 120 miles

*      Minneapolis/St. Paul- 180 miles

*      Madison- 235 miles

*      Milwaukee- 285 miles

*      Chicago- 400 miles

 

City Road Improvements

 

Park Falls intends to provide major city roadway improvements throughout the next several years.  The project with the greatest impact will be Hwy 13 traveling through the City.  The targeted date to accomplish this project is 2011 at a cost of $1.4 million.  Other improvements include 1st Avenue (10th Street to Division Street) at a cost of $250,000 by 2010 and 2nd Avenue (Hwy 182 to 1st Street N) at a cost of $150,000 by 2010.  According to the CEDS New Projects list, theses improvements rate 3rd in priority compared to other projects such as Lincoln School.  Refer to Attachment #2 in the “Issues and Opportunities” section for the complete CEDS list.  There is also a plan for a new crossing on the Flambeau River to accommodate additional highway and snowmobile traffic.  

 

Price County Road Improvements

 

Governor Jim Doyle signed a $1.8 million contract as part of the “Grow Wisconsin” initiative.  This money will be used for improving 11.5 miles of U.S. Hwy. 8 in Price, Lincoln and Oneida counties.  The construction is set to begin at the end of July 2008 and finish in August of the same year.  There are no other major Price County highway projects taking place currently.     

 

State of Wisconsin Six Year Highway Improvement Program

The WisDOT prepares six-year highway improvement programs by region that identify projects for 11,773 miles of Wisconsin’s Interstate highways, U.S. highways and state highways.  Within this plan there is a State Highway Rehabilitation Subprogram (SHR) with three components:  existing highways, state bridges, and backbone rehabilitation.  The Major Highway Development Subprogram solves complex and controversial projects.  Price County is part of the North Central Region and has four projects on the list for the 2008-2012 Plan as of March 6, 2008.

 

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, traffic counts are “the number of vehicles expected to pass a given location on an average day of the year.”  This is also known as annual average daily traffic (AADT) and data is received from an approximately 48 hour traffic count at given locations throughout the state and within communities.  Adjustments are made to consider such things as traffic volume throughout the year, and usually the total statewide counts are taken in three years.

 

See the 2005 City of Park Falls AADT map, Figure 43, on the next page.  The majority of vehicles travel on Hwy 13 followed by Hwy 182; however, the greatest amount of traffic is south on Hwy 13 out of Park Falls towards Fifield and Phillips with a count of 8,600.  The chart below lists five locations and compares the AADT in 2002 and 2005 in that location.  In 2006 the daily vehicle miles of travel (VMT) in Price County was 502,700 miles.  The annual VMT in the county was 183,486,000.  Since 1998 the daily VMT decreased by 112,300 miles daily.  In 2006 Price County rated 63rd for most miles traveled in Wisconsin counties.  These counts are important for economic development in communities.  Businesses want to attract people, and it is advantageous to be located near a heavily traveled roadway, such as Hwy 13, to be easily visible.   

 

AADT Counts at Locations in Park Falls

 

Location

2002

2005

Hwy 13, between 5th St. N and 9th St. N

5,600

5,200

Hwy 13, between 4th St. S and 8th St S

10,300

8,600

Hwy 182, between 2nd Ave. and Flambeau River

11,200

5,600

Hwy 13, between 1st St. N and 2nd St. S

8,300

6,100

Hwy 13, between 1st St. N and 5th St. N

7,500

5,700

               Source:  Wisconsin Department of Transportation

2005 City of Park Falls Annual Average Daily Traffic Map

 

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/counts/docs/price/parkfalls2005.pdf

 

*LEAVE PAGE OUT & INSERT CITY AADT MAP INSTEAD*

 

- Saved in Comp. Plan folder as Park Falls AADT Map but it is in PDF format. Once software is bought to convert PFD to word, map can be inserted into this page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Bicycling Opportunities

 

Numerous bicycling trails and roadways are available for use.  Refer to number 3, “Recreational Trails,” next for information regarding trails.

 

Bicyclists must obey all traffic laws and are not allowed, unless learning or are supervised by an adult, to ride on sidewalks within the City.  They must yield to pedestrians and be sure to wear sufficient reflectors when biking in the evening.    

 

3.  Recreational Trails

 

Park Falls and Price County have an abundance of hiking opportunities, many closed to motorized vehicles, through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Flambeau River State Forest, and Tuscobia State Trail.  Trails range from lengths for short hikes to several day camping excursions.  The 74-mile long Tuscobia State Trail passes through Barron, Washburn, Sawyer and Price Counties and is perfect for ATV riding, running, snowmobiling, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and bird watching, to name a few.  There are many restaurants and lodging opportunities along the trail.  On the other hand, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest provides trails to choose with rated difficulty levels of easy, medium, difficult or somewhere in-between.  These may be used for a wide range or activities such as snowshoeing, biking, hiking and cross-country skiing.  For a complete list of trails, visit the US Department of Agriculture/Forest Service website.  Flambeau River State Forest provides excellent horseback riding opportunities on gravel and old logging roads.  For information regarding the Flambeau River State Forest, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.   

 

Outside of Fifield on Hwy 70, the Wintergreen Trail, 9.2 kilometers, is a well-known and popular cross-country ski trail.  It is located in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest so a minimal National Forest parking fee or sticker is required at the trailhead.  Challenging trails for experienced skiers exist through the wooded terrain, but trails for novice and intermediate skiers are available, too.  They are groomed for skating and classic styles.  Many skiers use these trails to prepare for the annual American Birkebeiner from Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin.

 

Timm’s Hill County Park occupies 220 acres in southeastern Price County.  This is the highest point in the State of Wisconsin and is surrounded by dense northern hardwoods.  Bass Lake is engulfed in this foliage with a boat landing, beach and fishing pier.  Timm’s Hill National Ice Age Trail and a trail to the observation tower offer superb hiking opportunities, especially when the leaves turn colors in the fall.  The park is open May thru October from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.   

Park Falls anticipates developing walking trails and purchasing new recreational park equipment by 2010.  The projected cost is $200,000 and has a local priority rating of 3 on the CEDS project list.  This would further boost recreational and tourist opportunities in Park Falls and surrounding areas.  

 

4.  Pedestrian Facilities

 

Sidewalks are the primary safe walking facilities and connect residential houses, neighborhoods and the downtown area.  Issues of the most concern for pedestrians are broken sidewalks, missing sidewalk pieces, construction zones and no curb ramps. 

Text Box: Text Box:

5.  Airports

 

The Park Falls Municipal Airport (right) has a 3,200 feet by 60 feet runway.  The elevation is 1,500 feet MSL and traffic pattern 2.500 feet MSL.  The latitude is 45-57-21.8 degrees N and longitude is 90-25-28.6 degrees W.  The common traffic advisory frequency is 122.9. 

 

Several renovations from Park Falls’ CEDS project list are planned for the Park Falls’ airport.  See table below. 

 

Project

Expected Year of Completion

Estimated Cost

Priority

Upgrade Airport Avgas Fueling System

2008

-----

1

Resurface Apron

2008

$7,500

1

Develop Hangar Area

2008

$250,000

1

Update ALP

2008

-----

2

Construct/Reconstruct Auto Parking

2008

$25,000

2

Construct Snow Removal Equipment

2009

$150,000

3

Purchase Snow Removal Equipment

2011

$150,000

4

Land Acquisition in Runway Approaches

2011

$150,000

5

Expand Apron

2012

$150,000

6

 

The Price County Airport is located on the north side of Phillips, 17 miles from Park Falls, adjoining Phillips Industrial Park and is one mile from a new industrial park.  It has two runways rated for corporate/transport type transportation:  Runway I/19 is 5,000 feet long and Runway 6/24 is 3,950 feet.  The airport is open year-round, including holidays, and has 24 hour weather/flight/flight planning support.  Long Lake is west of the field and provides an opportunity for Float planes to land.  Car rentals, motels, flight lunch catering (Harbor View Restaurant) and numerous dining facilities are available close-by.  Governor Doyle has also supported the Price County Airport.  In 2007 he approved $207,895 for an airport perimeter security fence, which keeps animals from interfering with airport activity.  The remaining three-fourths of the money were used to purchase land under the approach to a runway, preventing future development on lands adjoining the airport.   

 

The Price County Airport is planning three major projects in 2010, 2011 and 2012.  By 2010 the primary runway is expected to be extended to 6,000 feet and widened to at least 100 feet.  This total cost was anticipated to be $4,500,000 but will be significantly higher once the project is completed with the addition of runway length from the 5,600 feet originally thought.  A Price County goal is to make the Price County Airport tax levy neutral, which would make it one of only a few in Wisconsin.  This runway would also allow for planes with larger fuel tanks and freight for businesses.  

 

In addition, the construction of a parallel taxiway to Runway I/19, installation of approach lighting system, and land acquisition for approach lights and north approach clearing are expected.  An Instrument Landing System (ILS) is anticipated to be installed in 2011 at a cost of $1,000,000.  In 2012 projects include reconstruction of the auto parking lot and relocation of entrance road, reconstruction and expansion of apron and the development of corporate hangar area and taxiway to hangar.  All of these improvements, beginning with the expansion of the primary runway, assist Price County and Park Falls with economic development.  Larger jets and aircrafts can land and take off at this improved airport, which allows better services of goods to and from the area. 

 

The three airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Park Falls and the distances from the City are Gogebic-Iron County, 47 miles; Rhinelander-Oneida County, 72 miles; Central Wisconsin, 97 miles.    

 

6.  Rail 

 

The Canadian National Railroad provides service to the City and intersects the Park Falls Industrial Park.  They offer in and out bound freight service. 

 

7.  Bus/Transit                                                 

 

There are no transit systems within Park Falls, and intercity bus routes do not exist within Price County.                                                                                                            

 

8.  Cab Service

 

Flambeau Cab began in September of 2002 and mostly services Park Falls, Fifield and Butternut, although it will travel anywhere in Wisconsin.  Trips between Phillips and Park Falls are also common.  The cost is $5.50 one way in Park Falls and $5.50 plus $1.30 per mile one way outside of Park Falls.  Service has steadily grown over the past several years but is beginning to level off now.  Flambeau Cab offers small parcel delivery in addition to the cab service but this occupies a small portion of the business.  The service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  For more information call the Flambeau Cab at (715)762-8294.      

9.  Transportation Facilities for Disabled

 

Ambu-Vans Transportation Specialists pick up individuals in need of medical assistance, especially disabled and elderly, and transport them to appointments.  Flambeau Hospital and Park Manor Nursing Home offer private transportation services for their patients and residents.

 

10.  Snow Removal

 

Park Falls averages over 50 inches of snowfall each year.  With these accumulations snow removal is imperative for continued transportation on roadways.  Snowplows are traveling at 25 to 35 mph and have wing blades pointing out.  In the winter of 2003 to 2004, there were 59 crashes involving a snowplow and a motorized vehicle in Wisconsin.  The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) uses an advanced Road Weather Information System (RWIS) with sensors embedded in the roadway in 61 sites throughout the State to stay informed about conditions.  There is one in Fifield, 0.1 miles south of South Fork of Flambeau River.  The information given for today, July 14, includes time taken, 5:05 a.m.; air temperature, 43 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point, 40 degrees; relative humidity, 88 percent; wind gust, 2 mph; average wind direction, E; precipitation type, no precipitation; visibility, unavailable; and road temperature, road surface 57 degrees.  Although these figures demonstrate July weather, the RWIS is most useful in the winter.  WisDOT uses 385,000 tons of salt and 20,000 tons of sand on average each year on Wisconsin roadways.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.3       Goals and Strategies

 

GOAL:            PROMOTE HIGHWAY 13 IMPROVEMENTS   

 

   Strategy:        Work with WisDOT on plans and development of 2009-2011 project

 

   Activity:

 

GOAL:            LOCAL STREET IMPROVEMENTS

 

   Strategy:        Complete 1st Avenue Project (10th Street to Division Street, 2nd Avenue                                   Hwy 182 to 1st Street North)          

 

   Activity:        

 

GOAL:            WORK WITH FLAMBEAU RIVER PAPAERS TO IMPROVE                                     ROAD, RAIL AND AIR TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES TO                                     ACCOMMODATE THEIR EXPANSION

 

   Strategy:        Use consultants to assist with planning and improvements

 

   Activity:        

 

4.4       Bibliography

 

“Connections 2030”.  Plans & Projects.  20 Nov 2007.  Wisconsin Department of

            Transportation.  21 July 2008.  <http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/state/

connections2030.htm>. 

 

“Price County Airport”.  Price County.  3 June 2008.  Price County.  18 July 2008.              <http://www.co.price.wi.us/government/PriceCountyAirport/Default.htm>.

 

“Road Function Classifications.”  FHWA Safety.  November 2000.  U.S. Department of           Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.  14 July 2008.            <http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/23000/23100/23121/09RoadFunction.pdf>. 

 

“Statewide Traffic Flow Map”.  Traffic Counts.  22 February 2008.  Wisconsin             Department of Transportation.  17 July 2008.  <http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/

            travel/counts/flowmap.htm>.   

 

“Traffic Count Maps”.  Traffic Counts.    10 March 2008.  Wisconsin Department of

            Transportation.  10 July 2008.  <http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/counts/>.