im pretty sure i was the first one to crash there, because i was driving and there was no sign anywhere, and then the next day there were signs all over the place. i think there should not even be a curve because i totaly wrecked my car.

Baby te amo I wish that I was in the car with you at the time and we can both be together still I will never forget about you and forgive me for joinig the army we will be together soon I promise. Te EXTRANO
R.I.P REYNA PURTUGAL
11-24-2009 7:17

janesvillean - you say this is a city street now, that's within the city limits. This curve/intersection is 1.5 miles past the city limits and over a mile past where the 55mph speed limit begins. It's not a city street out there. A right angle curve that immediately comes to a stop sign. No stop ahead sign, no reduce speed sign, no markings (at the time of the accident) that there is even a curve there. And there is not even a street light at that intersection although 1/2 mile to the east the new highway is lit up like fourth of July.

hannah, the bypass is to get the highway traffic off of city streets. It's not just about time, it's about safety. Anyway, to get into Milton you will follow the new 26, take a ramp down to one of the roundabouts, turn left on the new 59 and take that to S Janesville St. (old 26). There will also be an interchange at Town Hall Rd. that connects you to Milton-Harmony Town Line Rd., and an interchange at N, to replace that intersection where there have been so many accidents.
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As I said, the thing about old 59 is that it's now a city streets. City streets generally do not have curves of that nature marked. It's more about the unexpected change (and an unfortunate parking place for some equipment) than anything to do with the design. Heck, I was almost surprised in broad daylight by the termination of Westminster here:
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=r3m...
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And of course Wright Rd. itself -- which will eventually cross over 26 but not connect with it -- just sort of runs off into a farm field here:
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=r3n...

I am just sick about this accident. I drove the same route about 15 minutes before Reyna did. It was dark and raining, I was not speeding or talking on my cell or doing anything that was distracting me from my driving. In fact I was being extra careful because it was dark and raining, and also because of it being hunting season. To me, that curve seemed to have come out of nowhere, and I had to crank the wheel to the right and slam on my breaks. I sat there at the stop sign for a whole minute or so in total shock that I didn't go off the road, and waited until my heart slowed down and I got my orientation back before I started driving again. I could not recall any signs that indicated there was a curve and stop sign ahead. I had wished I had gone back to see if there were any, but now that I have read this article and the other before this one, and all of the blogs, and it sounds like there really was little to no warning posted, I really am appalled. How is a person supposed to drive a "prudent" speed for a curve and a stop sign that they couldn't see coming, and for which they were given little to no warning of? People gauge their speed according to the posted speed limit and what they can see in front of them with their own eyes, along with the road conditions, and signs that warn of sharp curves and stop signs, etc. They trust there are no sharp curves or stop signs unless they can clearly see them or there are signs indicating that those kinds of things are ahead. I am not one to have to find someone to blame for everything that happens in life, and there are certainly many reckless, careless, or distracted drivers out there, but when a road changes from a straight road to one with a curve and a stop sign right after the curve, wouldn't it have made good sense to mark that as clearly as possible? I think so. Those of you who are so quick to judge and criticize the driver, you would want understanding and compassion if you were the one to get in an accident like that, esp. if you hurt yourself or others badly, or worse yet, if one of your loved ones died in the accident. Think about that and try to have some compassion. I am very thankful I was spared and my heart goes out to Reyna's family and friends. She may have experienced exactly what I did, but just simply couldn't react in time to save her own life. I truly feel it was a miracle it wasn't me that ended up where she did. Rest in peace Reyna.

What they really need to do is forget about traffic circles and trying to make corners safer by putting the intersections in the middle of the curves so you can see better so that these people can drive faster and get through the corners and intersections at a higher rate of speed and cause more accidents Where did these stupid engineers go to get their education at Idiot high they need to slow people down, not make it easier for them to go faster and get killed. but that solves the problem of over population

Regardless Hannah... of the stupidity of many drivers... I would prefer extreme safety measures installed at ALL of these hideous intersections, if it will safe a life. If it inconveniences people but adds safety, I'd prefer it.

getabike, ya got THAT right!!!

Another thought here... when going east on the "original 59" towards that intersection, at night, you get an optical illusion that the highway does indeed continue on, as before. I believe they need flood lights with flashing lights and signs and a traffic cop and a....... get the picture? Its a death trap! I live on High Street. Now that construction there is finished, people will continue to die.

Look at Hwy N and Hwy 26, the number of accidents, resulting in death, is astounding.

Highway plans probably look great on paper...but in actuality, not so much...

I'm also excited to see how well people handle the steep incline of the overpass come this winter. A little snow and ice should make it fun to watch!

I live in milton and have not driven area yet, however, I know this woman was a wife and a mother and it is sickening to think that they wouldn't have thought to put up a damn sign to let drivers know that there was a curve approaching!!! When we get our drivers liscense we have to know damn near every road sign, if there not going to utilize them what's the point of knowing them!!! My thoughts and deepest sympathy to her family, may she rest in piece!!

witchywoman, in a couple of years, you'll come up 26 and take a ramp down to 59. You won't be able to get off onto either old 26 or old 59 -- those will be viaducts with no connections.

I agree with loose357... Only I’ll go one further! The engineers who designed that mess should be used for speed bumps! I took M in to Milton the other day and was amazed by the sheer stupidity of this project! I’ve driven in Europe and thought their roundabouts worked really well, however they were in much more “rural” situations… No doubt those who regularly drive between Janesville and Whitewater will skip the circle-jerk route and stick with the “old way.” As far as who might use the side-walk? Milton City Administrator Todd Schmidt will no doubt use it to admire his “handy-work.” And another thing!!! Why aren’t there left turn arrows on the lights at St. Mary and Hwy 26? ww

It's most likely Bush's fault

lostcity: I hear they have it better marked now and it isn't pouring down rain today ... and i'm sure you've read about this curve many times now,maybe that helped you some knowing about it? Coming from the nort or south it looks like it could be a tricky curve to figure out, bigtime if it wasn't marked or enough light. As much as I hate the word "sue" .... I'd be thinking about it, road looks like a mess.

Don't forget too that, like me, she was driving when it was dark. Even more reason for well-placed signs and possibly lights.

Lost city: did you go through there AFTER knowing that someone missed the turn and died? Much different than being surprised by an un-announced change in the road ahead. I drive that road every Sunday night. A week ago as I was coming out of Milton I was surprised at that sudden curve and sudden stop where old 59 meets the new. I do not recall having seen any advance warning signs to either slow down or that a curve was ahead. Fortunately my wife had driven that road a few days earlier in the daytime, was riding with me and knew what was ahead. On the way back I stayed on the new 59. I was going 55 when we came upon the turn-abouts. She had warned me about them, and I braked in time, but again, I don't remember seeing any speed reduction signs or warnings about turn-abouts ahead. I feel for this woman's family because possibly she had driven this road multiple times and suddenly found out that the road has been totally re-routed with no advance warnings. I believe that this road project has some very major flaws. I just wish we could have demanded signs before this tragedy had to happen.

I just went thru there and I don't think there is a problem. Drivers just need to be aware of what they are doing. Was this woman talking on a cell phone at the time?

hannah, 59 was moved so there could be a full interchange with the 26 bypass when that is built, and the old alignment of 59 was too close to the railroad. This is just one phase of the overall 26 project.
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/wi...
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The photo does not, I think, represent the view of the driver in the accident. It looks like it's from the north.
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One thing to realize is that even though the state "built" this, it is no longer a state highway (the curve in question) -- it's a city street and the requirements are not as stringent. They probably regret that now, but I'm not sure it rises to the level of a lawsuit in terms of negligence. The state is indemnified against most such actions in any event.

Yeah,I don't see the point of this new stretch of Hy 59 either! I live in Milton and drove the old Hy 59 to go to Whitewater and was totally confused. Same as when I camp up Cty Road M from Johnstown... I have yet to take the bypass from Hy 26 east. What a mess!

I just drove that stretch yesterday. The city of milton should sue whoever designed that mess. With all the turn arounds and crap I didnt have a clue where I was going, and really who is going to use that sidewalk.

Because if you make the roads strait they become a raceway for or youth,Yes somebody should be held liable for this tragic accident.

I think this family totally has a legal case. 59 was never well lit to begin with, then you add new construction, no signs and a slick, wet road surface...that was an accident waiting to happen, and unfortunately a life was lost.

I'm ashamed of those people in the other story on this subject that said the Lady who died on this curve said she more or less had it coming to her. Do you really think she was speeding on an unknow road like this? It clearly sounds like this NEW road was clearly unsafely marked. From the picture it looks like the curve goes up as you get to it making it look like the road keeps going strait, just like on hwy 51 going into hwy 22, if you don't know this and driving it under the same conditoins the same could happen as here. I see now they have it listed as inprudent speeding now but still trying to cover their a@@es. Just another death road to go long with the others we have in wisconsin, good job. My prayers are still with this Lady and her family.