Slowing down the demand for speed bumps on La Crosse streets

A plan to put more speed bumps on residential streets in La Crosse is being slowed down. 

The city board of public works is being asked to place temporary bumps on one block of several north-south streets between King and Cass Streets. 

The fire department opposes the idea, since speed bumps can prevent fire trucks from getting to an emergency quickly. 

“A series of 10-second delays starts to erode” the typical response time of four minutes or less, according to Fire Chief Ken Gilliam. He prefers more signs, or electronic indicators to get drivers to go slower.

City traffic engineer Matt Gallager says neighborhoods want them. And board member Chris Kahlow, whose district hopes to get the bumps installed between 7th Street and West Avenue, says bumps can be more effective than signs.

“Every day, I see people swing through those traffic circles and just gun it, to the next stop sign,” Kahlow said.