Project Highlight – Highland Bike/Pedestrian Path

The Highland Bike and Pedestrian Path in Mequon is another project Bike Fed has been assisting with as part of our 2022 priority projects. A combination of fortunate timing and dedicated stakeholders allowed this project to come together in record time for southeast Wisconsinites.

Following Bike Fed presenting at the Wisconsin Trails Caucus meeting in November 2021, Representative Deb Andraca (D-Whitefish Bay) approached our organization with a project in her district that she thought could use some help. We met with Rep. Andraca just before Christmas, and were quickly connected with the Mequon Thiensville Community Foundation (MTCF) who had been heading up work to get a path to link the Mequon Rotary Park with the Ozaukee Interurban Trail.

While they had done a great job with community fundraising already, the project stakeholders needed assistance in which state or federal grants were available to them, and what was needed for a successful application. Bike Fed coordinated with the group, pinpointing Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) dollars as the funding source most likely to result in an accepted application.

With the next TAP application cycle ending at the end of January, the group had just over a month to pull together a compelling grant proposal. Bike Fed assisted in guiding the group in best practices, as well as writing a letter of support for the project. Since January, we have waited to see the result of that application. With new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dollars available this year for TAP, we were hopeful the project would be funded.

We are excited to share that the Highland Bike and Pedestrian Path has been approved for funding through the TAP program, and will receive the investment the community needs to make this important piece of cycling infrastructure a reality for Mequon residents and nearby communities.