County Takes Steps to Secure Necessary Funding to Begin Phase 1 of Lower Yahara Trail Construction

March 31, 2014
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 843-8858

$1 Million Grant Request to Fund Key Piece of Trail Connecting

Southeast Madison and the Village of McFarland
 

Dane County is taking steps to apply for grant dollars to fund a critical component of the first phase of the Lower Yahara Trail and begin construction on the much needed link between southeast Madison to the Village of McFarland, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced today.

 

Pending final approval by the Dane County Board, the county is set to submit an application for more than $1 million in Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funding through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

 

If the application is approved, grant funds would pay for more than half the cost of constructing an additional boardwalk for the trail and to mitigate impacts to existing archaeological resources within the trail corridor.

 

“If we are successful, this grant funding will enable us to move forward on construction of this much anticipated project,” said Parisi. ““The Lower Yahara Trail holds great potential as a daily commuter route and a regional outdoor recreation destination.”

 

The Lower Yahara Trail is estimated to have 150,000 users per year upon completion, many of those wanting a safer and more accessible way to commute by bicycle. The trail is a top request for many county trail users.

 

Phase 1 of the trail is approximately 2.3 miles in length and  includes a clear span bridge over the Yahara River, bumpout viewing areas, an accessible shore fishing area and  more than a half mile of boardwalk. 

 

The estimated project cost is $5.5 million dollars.  Dane County was previously awarded $3 million dollars of WDOT Transportation Enhancement funds in 2010 for construction of the project. 

 

Phase two of the Lower Yahara Trail will connect Stoughton to Lake Kegonsa State Park, with future plans to connect McFarland to Stoughton for one continuous route.