The City of La Crosse has adopted an official Traffic Calming Policy.

As an introduction, a few excerpts are:

What traffic calming is and is not...

Traffic Calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for nonmotorized street users.

Traffic calming [is further distinguished] from route modification, traffic control devices, and streetscaping.  Traffic control devices, notably STOP signs and speed limit signs, are regulatory measures that require enforcement.  By contrast, traffic calming measures are...self-enforcing.

Traffic calming measures rely on the laws of physics, rather than human psychology to slow down traffic.  Street trees, street lighting, street furniture, and other streetscape elements, while complementary to traffic calming, do not directly compel drivers to slow down.

...

The immediate purpose of traffic calming is to reduce the speed and volume of traffic to acceptable levels ("acceptable" for the functional class of a street and the nature of bordering activity).  Reductions in traffic speed and volumes, however, are just means to other ends such as traffic safety and active street life.

Traffic calming includes various measures that act as "tools in the toolbox," providing opportunity for residents, businesses, and institutions, to help mitigate undesirable use by motorists of streets of all classifications within the City of La Crosse.  Traffic Calming measures are required to be considered by the Green Complete Streets Ordinance.

Residents or owners of a business or property wishing to pursue traffic calming measures are required to submit an application to initiate the review/study process or contact their Alderperson to pursue a public project.

Measures & Policy

Traffic calming measures are self-enforcing, physical implementations that may be utilized during the design and construction of public streets in an effort to maintain appropriate use of a roadway facility, based upon its surrounding properties and uses.  Traffic calming measures are a way for neighbors and neighborhoods to reclaim the use of their streets.

Traffic calming measures, highlighted in the policy, may include some of the more common implementations such as neighborhood traffic circles, raised intersections, curb extensions, speed tables, and raised crosswalks.  Others are highlighted in the policy.

Traffic calming measures do not include traffic control devices, such as STOP or Yield signs or traffic signals.  They do not include standard, regulatory signage such as speed limit signs.  They also do not include standard pavement markings such as crosswalk lines.

The traffic calming process is managed by the City Traffic Engineer.

To submit a request for traffic calming, please submit the following application:

• Traffic Calming (application)

Send completed applications to:

Engineering Department
400 La Crosse St.
La Crosse, WI  54601
Fax: (608) 789-8184
engineering@cityoflacrosse.org