Marshfield board votes to make portion of East Second Street one-way

For Hub City Times
MARSHFIELD – Marshfield’s Board of Public Works has voted to make East Second Street, in front of the city’s 2nd Street Community Center in downtown Marshfield, a permanent one-way street.
Board member Mike Feirer says the one-way traffic makes room for additional angled-parking spaces on the north side of the street, providing additional safety and convenience for the city’s seniors.
“A one-way street that we make to help the elderly and the handicapped is the way to go. So I think this option is what we wanted,” Feirer said.
Public Works Director Dan Knoeck says the $34,000 needed to permanently fund the project won’t be available until 2021, so the one-way eastbound traffic flow on Second Street between Maple and Cedar will need to be implemented with temporary markings next summer.
“The first year that we have funding is 2021,” Knoeck explained, “So unless we would defer a project from 2020, this would likely be a 2021 project.”
A test of the one-way angled parking configuration was conducted by the city for several months last fall, and a survey found that those using the Community Center liked the plan.
Since the temporary markings for the test weren’t compatible with winter road conditions and maintenance, the street was returned to two-way traffic until spring.
The one-way traffic plan now goes to Marshfield’s Common Council for their final approval later this month.