Senator Tammy Baldwin, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Wisconsin Bike Federation Announce Final Stretch of Popular Glacial Drumlin Trail To Be Completed
October 11, 2016
Stephanie Miller 608-267-8823
County Executive
COTTAGE GROVE- Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, Wisconsin Bike Federation Executive Director Dave Cieslewicz and local officials announced the final connection for the popular Glacial Drumlin Trail, a continuous off-road trail spanning from Dodgeville all the way to Milwaukee.
“From designing new trails, expanding existing ones, and partnering with local units of government on developing safe corridors for cycling, my 2017 budget is far and away the most robust in the county’s history for bicycling,” said Dane County Executive Parisi. “Connecting the Glacial Drumlin trail is a testament to the partnerships it takes to get big things done. I want to thank Senator Tammy Baldwin for her work to make sure Wisconsin has the best biking and quality of life in the country.”
Years ago, the County secured over $215,000 from then Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin to begin planning work for a six-mile segment of the trail from I-39 to Highway N in Cottage Grove. With the state Department of Natural Resources completing the acquisition of lands needed for the trail, the project engineering and design work is set to begin in the spring of 2017. Dane County Executive Parisi included $130,000 in his 2017 budget for the trail along with money for an additional park planner position to manage this and other trail projects. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is contributing $60,000 for the project design.
"I am proud to have worked in Congress as a partner, supporting efforts at the local level to increase access to Wisconsin’s incredible natural resources,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “Trail development encourages environmental conservation, supports Wisconsin tourism, and improves the quality of life for our communities."
With design work expected to begin in the Spring of 2017, construction of the trail is anticipated to begin in 2019. The trail will provide linkage to the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha to the east (approximately 50 miles) and west through downtown Madison to Governor Dodge state Park in Dodgeville (approximately 60 miles). The trail is expected to see 250,000 to 300,000 riders a year.
"Connecting these final six miles between Glacial Drumlin and Madison will not only provide a safe route for Cottage Grove bike commuters into downtown, but it will also introduce more people to our growing community,” said Cottage Grove County Board Supervisor Danielle Williams. “I am very grateful to Senator Baldwin and County Executive Parisi for their leadership on this project."
In 1998, Dane County, the Cities of Fitchburg and Madison, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) signed a Memorandum of Agreement that outlined a plan for connecting the Military Ridge, Capital City and Glacial Drumlin Trails into a continuous bicycle pedestrian corridor across Dane County. The only remaining gap in this trail generally lies along the existing railroad corridor from Vondron Road in Madison to CTH N in the Village of Cottage Grove. The City of Madison is currently planning for design/development of the missing trail segment from Vondron Road to the eastern right of way of Interstate 39.
In 2011, the DNR and Dane County entered into a follow up Agreement outlining roles and responsibilities for completion of plans, specifications and estimates for the development of the Glacial Drumlin Trail between CTH N in the Village of Cottage Grove and the City of Madison. Under this Agreement, Dane County Parks will be responsible for planning and design of the approximate 5 mile missing segment between the I39 eastern right of way and CTH N Glacial Drumlin Trail parking lot. This section of trail is anticipated to consist of a combination of surfaces and structures including at grade crushed limestone or asphalt pavement trail, boardwalk, culverts, bridges and on-road facilities.