It is hard to believe that it's been more than a decade since the Badger State Trail first was discussed as a possibility. The long road to completion for the trail now appears to be very close. That's great news for Green County and the region.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported earlier this week that the final undeveloped section of the Badger State Trail, running through Fitchburg and connecting to Madison, last week received an advisory committee's "quiet" recommendation for funding. The $1.1 million in federal and state money to pave the section still must be approved by the Transportation Enhancement Grant Committee, which meets later this month to consider the application. A decision should come by the end of September. A state Department of Transportation official told the WSJ that advisory committee recommendations usually turn into funding rewards.
If approved, the project would be completed by the fall of 2009.
A little more than 40 miles of the trail connecting Madison to Freeport, Ill., are completed. The Badger State Trail was opened to the public last July. The remaining 6-plus miles on the trail's northern end are all that is left to be completed.
As Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, pointed out in an op-ed piece in the Times earlier this week, the addition to the trail will provide a safe pathway in the Madison area, and presents a strong recreational and tourism attraction to the region.
The trail's impact and potential importance are evident when the City of Monroe and Monroe Main Street officials talk about amenities and facilities they can create to accommodate bike tourism in the city.
The trail's value only increases when it is complete from one end to another. Let's keep fingers crossed that good news is forthcoming on funding for the final leg.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported earlier this week that the final undeveloped section of the Badger State Trail, running through Fitchburg and connecting to Madison, last week received an advisory committee's "quiet" recommendation for funding. The $1.1 million in federal and state money to pave the section still must be approved by the Transportation Enhancement Grant Committee, which meets later this month to consider the application. A decision should come by the end of September. A state Department of Transportation official told the WSJ that advisory committee recommendations usually turn into funding rewards.
If approved, the project would be completed by the fall of 2009.
A little more than 40 miles of the trail connecting Madison to Freeport, Ill., are completed. The Badger State Trail was opened to the public last July. The remaining 6-plus miles on the trail's northern end are all that is left to be completed.
As Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, pointed out in an op-ed piece in the Times earlier this week, the addition to the trail will provide a safe pathway in the Madison area, and presents a strong recreational and tourism attraction to the region.
The trail's impact and potential importance are evident when the City of Monroe and Monroe Main Street officials talk about amenities and facilities they can create to accommodate bike tourism in the city.
The trail's value only increases when it is complete from one end to another. Let's keep fingers crossed that good news is forthcoming on funding for the final leg.
