Major federal grant to fund Ice Age Trail link in Dane County; 10 communities to share bike funds

May 09, 2007
Joanne Haas, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606
County Executive

Design and construction planning of a more than $300,000 pedestrian-bicycle trail through the Ice Age Trail Junction Area in one of Dane County’s fastest growing residential areas gets under way this summer, thanks to a federal grant County Executive Kathleen Falk says will cover up to 80 percent of the project’s planning and construction costs. “This Ice Age Trail link promises recreational and commuting opportunities for bicyclists in southwest Madison near Verona,” Falk said of the planned two-mile trail that netted the federal grant in a competitive process. The Dane County project is one of 28 to receive a federal grant out of at least 100 applications. Dane County Parks has been awarded a federal Transportation Enhancement grant for $247,280 to construct the bike-hike trail. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $309,100 with the grant covering 80 percent. “These are federal funds which are allocated and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation,” Falk said. “Thanks to the state and the Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization for awarding these funds to Dane County.” The trail will extend from the Ice Age National Scenic Trail parking lot and trailhead area on County Trunk Highway PD in the City of Madison south to Badger Prairie County Park in the Town of Verona. The bicycle-pedestrian trail will be located within the Ice Age Junction Natural Resources Area corridor that traverses north-south between the cities of Madison and Verona. The proposed bike-pedestrian trail will follow a separate grade from the more natural and rustic Ice Age National Scenic hiking trail. “This project also will include the key link to the Military Ridge State Trail for this residential area,” Falk said. “Hikers and bikers in the area have been hoping for a trail for years. The neighborhoods between Highway PD and Cross Country Road have dedicated greenways to serve as the link for the trail.” The trail also will link to the Capital City Trail by way of the Military Ridge State Trail. The Capital City Trail ties into the Military Ridge Trail along Verona Road and stretches to Dodgeville in Iowa County. Falk said engineering for the trail will begin in July with construction completion anticipated by fall of 2008. The project also will include landscape restoration, bicycle racks and signs. 2007 Bike Grant Program On a related note, 10 Dane County communities are in line to share $60,000 in county funds to improve or construct bicycle routes as part of the county’s annual grant program. “These county dollars also help local officials to provide signs and safety training,” Falk said. The major projects include the City of Fitchburg and the Fish Hatchery Bike Path; the City of Madison and the bicycle coordinator program; the City of Middleton and the Pheasant Branch Conservancy Corridor Bridge; the Village of McFarland and the Elvehjem Road Bike Path; and the Village of Cottage Grove and the Wealdbridge to Clark Street Path Construction. A list of the grant recipients is attached. # # #