Transportation System

The overall goal for the City of Thorp's transportation system is to serve the multi-modal transportation needs of the community and to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods to foster economic development and contribute to the quality of life of the City's residents.

Streets and Highways

The City of Thorp is served by a network of streets and highways under local, county, and state jurisdiction. There are almost 16 miles of road system within the City. Major highway routes serving the city from an east/west direction include STH 29, a four-lane principal arterial, and CTH "X", a Clark County major collector. State Trunk Highway 73, a minor arterial serving the central business district, and CTH "M", a rural major collector, provide the primary north/south routes serving the community.

Traffic Volumes

The growing number of vehicles in the City, combined with a mobile population making an increased number of personal trips, result in increased traffic volumes on the local road system. Annual average daily traffic (AADT) volumes are identified for selected road segments within the City and displayed for the period 1989 to 1999 in Table 24. This information helps to evaluate the impact of growing traffic volumes on the traffic-carrying capability of the local road system and the need for transportation improvements. The traffic count

Traffic volumes on Washington Street and Stanley Street can be expected to continue to grow with the City. Both streets bisect at the center of the City in the central business district. Both streets are designated truck routes serving the existing and planned industrial parks, as well as other downtown commerce. Map 14 depicts the strategic location of these two routes through the City in relation to major traffic generators.

The importance of preserving the traffic carrying capability of Washington Street (STH 73) and Stanley street (CTH "X") may prove to be even more critical for the future traffic circulation through Thorp. Currently, traffic can gain access to Thorp directly from STH 29 at the STH 73 interchange, or from the at-grade intersections of Tieman Avenue to the west and Bruce Mound Avenue to the east. These intersections are located one mile to the west and east of the present interchange and may be eliminated in the future. In order to preserve the high mobility function of STH 29, future WisDOT plans call for the closing of these two at-grade intersections. Earlier WisDOT plans had identified an overpass for Tieman Avenue to accommodate local traffic form the north and south sides of STH 29. It will be very important for the City to maintain an active interest and involvement with WisDOT as future access control plans for STH 29 are implemented.

The City of Thorp has identified the need for a pedestrian/bicycle pathway along McGrogan Creek to connect major park and recreation areas in the City. The City's Five Year Outdoor Recreation Plan also recommends walkway improvements at several City parks, with particular attention given to handicapped accessibility. In addition, the City conducts a city-wide inspection of its sidewalks every four to five years and uses the information obtained to program necessary rehabilitation and replacement of unsafe or deteriorated sidewalks. The City currently negotiates the installation of new sidewalks with each new development to ensure adequate pedestrian access. The City should continue to consider the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists in the community and incorporate pedestrian and bicycle facility improvements into programmed street improvement projects, as warranted. Future development plans for the City should be evaluated with regard to accommodating the safe and efficient travel of pedestrians and bicycle users.

Transit and Specialized Transportation

The City of Thorp does not have a public transit system. Specialized transportation services are provided by Faith in Action volunteer drivers for ambulatory individuals needing local transportation, and by privately operated Medi Vans for the medical transport of those individuals qualified for medical assistance. Furthermore, inter-city bus service, provided by Greyhound Bus Lines over STH 29, is only accessible at Eau Claire (45 miles to the west) and Abbotsford (25 miles to the east).

While local transportation needs appear to be adequately met through both formal volunteer drive programs and informal services provided by family and friends, the need for more frequent longer distance shopping trips to larger retail centers was identified in the community survey. Clark County Department of Social Services provides a van for once a month shopping trips for county residents, in addition to a volunteer driver program. However, there has been little demand for the shopping van trips which has resulted in the van placed in other service.

Rail Service

Thorp is served by a main line of the Wisconsin Central Limited Rail Line. This east-west line connects Chicago to Minneapolis-St. Paul and provides for continuing rail service throughout the country. The Wisconsin Central Limited provides rail freight service to the co-op with nine trains daily passing through the community. The rail line runs adjacent to the City's northeast industrial park and the proposed westside industrial park along CTH "X". Future plans call for a rail spur to serve the expanding northeast industrial park, as well as one to serve the westside industrial park as development warrants.

The pending change of ownership of the Wisconsin Central Limited to the Canadian National Rail Line should not negatively impact rail service to the City due to the importance of the main line's east-west connections. However, local use of freight rail service will determine the level of local service provided by the Canadian National Rail Line.

The following policy concerning access to freight rail service was developed under the overall goal for the City's integrated transportation system.

Truck Freight Service

Over the road trucking still provides for the vast majority of the freight shipping needs of the manufacturers and retailers in Thorp. As identified on Map 14, the major generators of truck freight and bulk commodity shipments include the manufacturers in the northeast industrial park, the co-op, the farm implement and automotive dealership, and a construction materials trucking company. In addition, retail and service businesses in the central business district and in the highway commercial district at the STH 29/STH 73 interchange area also receive their supplies by delivery truck.

Future truck traffic generators are likely to be associated with the newly developing western industrial park and with the industrial and business park planned for the southwest quadrant of the STH 29/STH 73 interchange area. The actual truck traffic generated by these developments will depend on the type of businesses locating in these parks and the rate at which development takes place.

The major issues with truck traffic are safety and roadway capacity. The routing system for local truck traffic in Thorp is also identified on Map 14. For the most part, the local truck route takes advantage of Washington (STH 73) and Stanley (CTH "X") Streets, which are constructed to higher standards than local streets to accommodate heavier loads. However, because these streets provide the primary north/south and east/west access to the City, they also route truck traffic through the central business district and adjoining residential neighbor-hoods, resulting in a mix of heavy truck traffic that is common to most smaller communities. These conditions place a greater emphasis on transportation system management for safety considerations.

The following policies regarding truck freight service within the City of Thorp were developed under the guidance of the City's overall goal for an integrated transportation system.

Air Service

The nearest scheduled air passenger service and air freight connections are available at Eau Claire and Mosinee. The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, located approximately 45 miles to the west in Eau Claire, offers scheduled passenger service on a regional connector airline to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport also serves as an air cargo feeder for air freight shipments. The Central Wisconsin Airport, located approximately 65 miles to the east in Mosinee, offers scheduled passenger service to a broader regional air service area and serves as a primary air cargo airport.

Thorp residents or businesses desiring to use commercial air passenger or air cargo services must arrange for ground transportation to these commercial airport facilities.

While the City of Thorp has no responsibility for a municipal air facility, it encourages the support of the Wisconsin State Airport System Plan for 2020 to provide for the necessary airport improvements that enhance both commercial passenger travel and air service to businesses throughout the state.