STURGEON BAY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Friday, April 29, 2016

Crosswalk Information For Drivers and Pedestrians



 
The most important safety tip to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities is to pay attention. You can significantly reduce your chances of being in a collision with a motor vehicle by obeying traffic rules and being aware of dangers posed by cars in your vicinity. Make eye contact with drivers if possible and make sure that they can see you.
Both drivers and pedestrians have certain safety responsibilities that depend on both circumstances and common sense
Drivers must:
  • Yield to pedestrians when crossing a sidewalk or entering an alley or driveway
  • Yield to pedestrians who have started crossing at an intersection or crosswalk on a "walk" signal or a green light, if there is no walk signal
  • Yield to pedestrians who are crossing the highway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection where there are no traffic lights or control signals
  • Not overtake and pass any vehicle that stops at an intersection or crosswalk to permit a pedestrian or bicyclist to cross the roadway safely

Pedestrians must:
  • Yield to drivers when crossing a road where there is no intersection or crosswalk or where the pedestrian does not have a green or "walk" signal and where vehicles have a green signal
  • Not suddenly move into the path of a closely approaching vehicle that does not have sufficient time to yield for a pedestrian​
  • Walk on and along the left side of a highway when not walking on a sidewalk. Note: This law does not apply to bicycles. Bicycles operate under the same laws as other legal vehicles on the road and should always stay on the right side of the road.

Pedestrian pointers to keep in mind:
·         Pay attention
A recent report from the Federal Bureau of Transportation Safety concluded that the pedestrian was solely at fault in 43% of car-pedestrian collisions and that both were at fault in 13% of collisions. You can significantly reduce your chances of death or injury by obeying traffic rules and being aware of dangers posed by cars in your vicinity. For example: 58% of pedestrian-car crashes occur while the pedestrian was crossing the street. Pay close attention to cars in your vicinity. Make eye contact with drivers if possible.
·         Don’t "Drink and Walk"
Unlike driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, walking will probably not result in the death or injury of someone else - but it could very well result in yours. As an inebriated pedestrian your chances of suffering an accident increase significantly. If you’ve been drinking, take a cab or a bus, or let someone sober drive you home.
·         Take extra care at night and at dusk
Walking at night increases your chances of death or injury. Drivers cannot avoid what they can’t see. When walking at night, wear retro-reflective outdoor clothing or shoes or lights to make yourself more visible. Avoid wearing dark clothing. Most importantly, don’t assume that drivers can see you. Always walk on the left hand side of the road or on the sidewalk. This way, motorists can see you and will not be approaching you from behind.
·         Provide proper supervision and training for children
Young children up to age 9 often lack the judgment and experience to make good choices when dealing with traffic. Their smaller stature also makes them harder for motorists to see. Adults need to take special care to teach children to behave safely when they are around automobile traffic. Supervision is crucial through about age 9. Motorists are also responsible for child pedestrian safety. Slow down in school zones, near parks and pools and in neighborhoods. Parents dropping off children at school are a major threat to walking children and to those leaving motor vehicles. Stay cautious after dropping off your own child.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Bridge Closure Starting Monday, May 2nd



 
Bayview Bridge to restrict marine traffic vertical clearance beginning Monday, May 2

Bridge lift spans will be closed and locked

(Sturgeon Bay, Door County) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region office is announcing marine traffic restrictions over the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. as part of the Bayview Bridge rehabilitation project. 

Beginning on Monday, May 2, 2016 through June 30, 2016, the Bayview Bridge lift spans will be CLOSED and locked in the down position for construction. Marine traffic will only be allowed under one half of the lift span and will be restricted in height. Operators will NOT have the ability to open the bridge during this timeframe. Please be aware, vertical clearance underneath the bridge will be restricted during construction operations.

Notice of Marine Impacts is posted through the United States Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners (LNV). It is recommended that marine traffic traveling to the area check for the most current information prior to traveling. The LNV link is: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=lnmDistrict&region=9

Rehabilitation to the Bayview Bridge includes:

·         Replacing steel beams and the steel grid deck

·         Replacing expansion joints and bearing

·         Performing concrete repairs to girders, abutments, and parapet.

·         Repairing and replacing machinery and electrical component

·         Bridges over the exit ramp for northbound Green Bay Road, just east of County S, will receive     concrete overlays and minor surface repairs

For more details regarding the Bayview Bridge rehabilitation, please see the project webpage at http://projects.511wi.gov/bayview/ .

 

 
 
 
 


New Bridge Update



Vehicle weight restrictions lifted on Michigan Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay following inspection this morning

Bridge safe for vehicles over 20-tons

(Sturgeon Bay, Door County) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region office is announcing weight restrictions have been lifted following an inspection this morning of damage to the Michigan Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay, Door County. A 20-ton weight-limit was imposed on the bridge following a vehicle strike to overhead beams by an over-height vehicle Friday.

WisDOT Bureau of Structures and Northeast Region bridge engineers conducted an inspection this morning (Thursday, April 28) and deemed the structure safe for vehicles over 20-tons. The weight restriction and requirement for vehicles over 20-tons to use the Maple/Oregon Street Bridge is no longer in effect, beginning immediately. Construction crews will change the detour signing for the Bayview Bridge closure back to the original detour over the Michigan Street Bridge by end of day tomorrow.

A backhoe being towed by a semi-truck struck multiple overhead support beams on Friday, April 22 at approximately 6:30 p.m. Maintenance crews closed the bridge to all traffic, inspected the damage, and reopened the bridge Saturday morning. However, as a precaution the bridge was restricted to vehicles under 20 tons.

WisDOT will release repair details for the overhead beams on the Michigan Street Bridge following analysis of the inspection.

 

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Bridge Information




Michigan Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay will close for inspection Thursday morning

Backhoe struck bridge beams Friday evening

(Sturgeon Bay, Door County) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region office is announcing the Michigan Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay, Door County will close to all traffic on Thursday, April 28 from 8 a.m. to noon. WisDOT Bureau of Structures engineers and Northeast Region bridge engineers will conduct a follow-up inspection of bridge component parts and assess needed repairs following a vehicle strike on the overhead support beams. WisDOT will release results of the inspection following analysis of the findings.

The Michigan Street Bridge is currently OPEN to traffic, but remains under a weight-restriction for vehicles over 20 tons. Overweight vehicles will use the Maple Street/Oregon Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay to cross the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. A signed detour is posted.

A backhoe being towed by a semi-truck struck multiple overhead support beams on Friday, April 22 at approximately 6:30 p.m. Maintenance crews closed the bridge to all traffic, inspected the damage, and reopened the bridge Saturday morning. However, as a precaution the bridge is restricted to vehicles under 20 tons until results of the follow-up inspection.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Michigan Street Bridge Now Open



Today members from the Department of Transportation (DOT) reviewed the damage to the Michigan Street Bridge and determined that it could reopen to vehicle traffic. The bridge is now limited to a 20 ton weight limit. Signs indicating this have been posted on both sides of the bridge.

Friday, April 22, 2016

[Update] Michigan Street Bridge Closed


At 8:30 PM, Department of Transportation (DOT) officials had a chance to observe the damage to the Michigan Street Bridge. The bridge will be closed until tomorrow when further examination of the bridge damage can be done by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Until then please continue using the Oregon Street Bridge.

Michigan Street Bridge Closed


Officers are asking the public to avoid the Michigan Street Bridge. At 5:50 PM, Officers were dispatched to the Michigan Street Bridge for an accident involving a piece of machinery striking the bridge multiple times. At this time the bridge is closed until further notice.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Bike Auction


The Sturgeon Bay Police Professional Police Association will be holding a bike auction on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 5:00 pm. The auction will be held at the Sturgeon Bay Police Department garage, located at the City Hall complex off Nebraska Street. Approximately 50 bikes in all sizes and conditions will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Proceeds from this auction go to the Association, a non-profit, and are redistributed back into the community. Anyone wishing to donate a gently used bike (or other recreational gear) to this auction is asked to bring the item(s) to the Police Department, 421 Michigan Street, prior to the auction date.  If you have any questions, call 920-746-2450.
B I K E A U C T I O N
Time: 5pm
Date: Tuesday, May 24th
Location: Police Department Parking Lot
Viewing: All Day up until the time of Auction

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Lost Property


 
On April 8th, a small trailer with a green shed built on to it went missing from the Door County Habitat for Humanity.   If you have any information, please contact the Sturgeon Bay Police Department at 920-746-2450. 
 

Monday, April 11, 2016

Thank you to our 911 Dispatchers

April 10-16 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week,

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department would like to thank the Door County 911 Dispatchers for all the work they due in helping us provide law enforcement services.  Dispatchers are an important part of providing quality emergency services to citizens, yet are often overlooked.  Thank you for a job well done!



Wednesday, April 6, 2016

New Hunting Clothing Law

 
 
               

Governor Scott Walker signed Act 131 in January which authorized bright or fluorescent pink as an alternative color to blaze orange as the required color of 50% of hunting outerwear above the waist, including head cover, during a gun deer season.

Here are some facts about the changes:
·         The only exception to wearing blaze orange or fluorescent pick during the Deer Firearm Seasons is for waterfowl hunters and small game hunters that are pursuing small game such as raccoons and coyotes… during the hours of darkness.

·         Hunters can mix bright orange and pink – as long as it still meets the 50% requirement of either or both.

·         Hunters can also wear camo pink in the same manner provided to wear camo orange, as long as at least 50% of the outer clothing above the waist is fluorescent pink or blaze orange.

·         This change only impacts the color of clothing and does not change the blaze orange requirement for ground blinds on state land.