East Troy Multi Use Connector Trail

The construction of this trail will provide safe off-road access between the East Troy Village Square, Mill Pond Park, and the nearly 450 households and businesses located on Honey Creek Road. The trail will be accessed via roadway or adjacent properties and will connect to the existing trail along the east side of Mill Pond Park.  The trail will be lit for safety and will create ADA compliant safe crossings and travel zones along STH 120/CTH G and alleviate conflict between traffic and pedestrians who already walk or bike along the highway system to travel to parks, the village square business district, schools, and community centers.

In early October 2023, WisDOT released the list of TAP grant awardees following the spring 2023 application cycle. The Bike Fed is thrilled to announce that the East Troy Connector Trail was awarded $1,189,468 for the completion of this project. In 2024, the design phase will be completed and construction is slated to begin in 2025. A possible future phase of this project could add a new trailhead and parking lot to provide access to a nearby natural area. Going forward, Bike Fed staff will continue working with project stakeholders and community members to ensure the new segment of the trail can be used safely and equitably.

Mound View Park Connector – Platteville

In Plattevillle, an existing limestone trail constructed in 2011 connects the Mound View State Trail with Mound View Park – and on to Prairie View Park, Platteville High School, and Legion Park. Residents are seeking to pave and light the trail to improve accessibility, safety, and support Platteville’s inclusion, diversity, and equity efforts. The connector will also add to the regional trail network by linking to the Rountree Branch Trail which connects to the Mound View State Trail providing access to more than 250 miles of trails.

In early October 2023, WisDOT released the list of TAP grant awardees following the spring 2023 application cycle. The Bike Fed is thrilled to announce that the Mound View Park Connector project was awarded $406,816 for the completion of phase 1 of this project.

In late 2024, it was announced that the City of Platteville received a stewardship grant for the construction of a new paved trail connection from Mound View State Trail to Mound View Park. Construction is set to begin sometime in 2025. Going forward, Bike Fed staff will continue working with project stakeholders and community members to assist with future phases and expansions of this project.

Stewart Tunnel – Dane County

The Stewart Tunnel is an iconic biking landmark here in Wisconsin, providing shade and cooler temperatures to Badger State Trail users through its .25 mile curved tunnel. Unfortunately, the Stewart Tunnel closed in 2018 due to catastrophic rain events. In 2022, an engineering solution that would re-open the Tunnel for bikers and hikers – as well as protecting the existing bat hibernaculum – was approved.

Governor Evers included $6.6 million for Stewart Tunnel repairs in his Capital Budget recommendation. This recommendation was necessary to reopen the Stewart Tunnel – and the entirety of the Badger State Trail – to trail users. The Joint Finance Committee in the Wisconsin State Legislature heeded Governor Evers recommendation, and found a way to approve the needed $6.6 million dollars in the 2023-2025 Wisconsin state budget. The Bike Fed would like to thank Governor Evers, the Joint Finance Committee, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR), Stewart Tunnel stakeholders, and advocates from around the state for making this long-awaited repair possible. 

In late 2024, design and engineering efforts began to repair the tunnel. The project will proceed with repairs consistent with the previously approved plan: inserting a corrugated metal pipe lining that will ensure the reliability of the tunnel’s structure for years to come.

Wisconsin Recreational River Bridge – Dane & Sauk Counties

The Wisconsin Recreational River Bridge will connect two of Wisconsin’s scenic trails – the Great Sauk State Trail and the Walking Iron Trail – via a 500-foot bridge over the Wisconsin River. With construction targeted for fall of 2024, the bridge will further connect Dane and Sauk Counties’ trail systems creating a true destination for walkers, bikers, hikers and snowmobilers. 

Dane and Sauk Counties each contributed an initial $2 million to the project which enabled MSA Engineering to move forward with design and engineering. Construction of the bridge is estimated to cost around $10 million. U.S. Representative Mark Pocan secured a Federal earmark of $2 million toward the bridge construction and Governor Evers included an additional $2 million in the proposed State budget. A Transportation Alternatives (TAP) grant was submitted for the balance of the construction costs in March.

In early October 2023, WisDOT released the list of TAP grant awardees following the spring 2023 application cycle. The Bike Fed is thrilled to announce that the Wisconsin Recreational River Bridge project was awarded $5,587,672 towards the completion of this bridge project. Along with sizable financial commitments from both Sauk and Dane counties as well as the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC), getting all of the funding necessary for the completion of this project was a real community effort. The Bike Fed would like to thank both Sauk and Dane counties for partnering on this project, Dane County Director of AWSC Sam Landes, and especially project lead and Sauk County Supervisor Marty Krueger.

In late 2024, Dane and Sauk Counties were granted land-use agreements by the DNR for the use of DNR lands for construction access for the bridge. Additionally, planning is underway with Dane County for parking lot and trailhead improvements for the Walking Iron trail, which will eventually connect to the Wisconsin Recreational River Bridge.

Wisconsin River Trail – Grant County

The Wisconsin River Trail is a project that will create a 20+ mile, non-motorized hiking/biking trail through the Driftless areas of rural  Boscobel, Woodman, and Wauzeka, following both sides of the Wisconsin River. It will create an avenue for users along WIS 133 to access work, school, or recreational opportunities increasing tourism and bolstering the economy for the City of Boscobel and surrounding communities.

Phase 1 of the Wisconsin River Trail was constructed in 2016 by the City of Boscobel, DNR (Knowles-Nelson grant), WisDOT and the Wisconsin River Trail Organization (WRTO). It connects Boscobel’s community trails to the Von Haden Boat Landing along USH-61. Three more phases of the Trail remain: the second is a 7-mile trail from Boscobel to Woodman, following WIS 133 and local roadways. Phase 3 connects the Von Haden Recreational Area to Wauzeka on a five-foot-wide paved shoulder and is anticipated to be completed by WisDOT by 2025 as part of a scheduled roadway project. Finally, Phase 4 will cross the Wisconsin River from Wauzeka-Woodman with an ADA-accessible pedestrian/ATV/UTV/ snowmobile bridge.

In early October 2023, WisDOT released the list of TAP grant awardees following the spring 2023 application cycle. The Bike Fed is thrilled to announce that the Wisconsin River Trail project was awarded $2,069,460 towards the completion of Phase 2. Going forward, Bike Fed staff will continue working with project stakeholders and community members on next steps for future phases of the trail.

Fox River Trail

This landmark Fox River Trail spans 26.3 miles from Green Bay to Hilbert, making it a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, active commuters, daily walkers, and more! The Friends of the Fox River Trail estimates that the trail has been visited more than 2 million times since 1999, making it one of the state’s most-used trails as well.

But, with high-volume usage also comes high-volume needs. The foot and wheel traffic the trail draws every day takes a toll, and many sections of the Fox River Trail are now in need of repaving to ensure users can enjoy the trail safely. The need to prioritize the Fox River Trail was brought to Bike Fed’s attention by State Representative Kristina Shelton, who represents parts of Green Bay and uses the trail daily

The Friends of the Fox River Trail have launched  a capital campaign to repave the 22-year-old Fox River Trail and expand the pavement 3.4 miles into Greenleaf. The Friends’ goal is to raise $300,000 toward the needed funding so that construction can take place in 2024-25. In 2022, Green Bay was awarded $840,721 in Transportation Alternatives (TAP) funding.  In addition, the Green Bay Packers Foundation is matching up to $50,000 in public donations.

After sounding the alarm for her constituents regarding the Fox River Trail, Rep. Shelton had the following to say upon hearing the good news from DNR that maintenance on the trail will begin soon: 

“As an all-seasons user of the Fox River Trail in Green Bay, I am thrilled to see Wisconsin continue to invest in active transportation routes, including our trails. Thank you to all of our trail system champions, elected officials and community leaders who continue to make this beloved trail possible for our families, friends, and neighbors.”

Trail Planning at Rib Mountain State Park

In 2022, northern Wisconsin’s Rib Mountain State Park was undergoing a scheduled master planning process through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). One of the options was to provide more exciting opportunities for mountain bikers within the park. 

After robust public input from the Bike Fed, our Council of Advocates, bike retailers, and mountain bike enthusiasts, the approved plan includes two brand new opportunities for cyclists:

1. A multi-use natural trail encircling the base of Rib Mountain, creating a recreational opportunity for cyclists, hikers, and walkers of all skill and comfort levels.
2. 12-20 miles of mountain biking trails suitable for a variety of skill levels. Both “flow” and “gravity single-track” trails are included in the approved Master Plan.

With the approval of the Master Plan in 2022, the project is embarking on more detailed trail concept planning. The Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership, in collaboration with the DNR, has developed a trail network concept pan for the park that is consistent with the park’s property master plan. The plan includes a multi-use community path, shared use trail, hiking trail refinements, bike-optimized trails, ski area expansion, and snowmobile trail realignment.

This is an exciting opportunity for Wisconsin, one that will enhance Rib Mountain State Park as a year-round recreational hub. These new developments, at an iconic location, will attract recreation seekers from around the state and the greater Midwest. This project will also provide long-term economic benefits to Rib Mountain and the greater Wausau area.

Highland Bike/Pedestrian Path

Following the Bike Fed’s presentation 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. Rep. Andraca connected Bike Fed staff with the MT Trails Founndation (MT Trails) who had been heading up work to build  a paved, two-directional, multi-use, off-road path to link  Mequon Rotary Park with the Ozaukee Interurban Trail along Highland Road.

With Bike Fed assistance, MT Trails applied for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) dollars in 2022 and received $988,000 to complete the project.

Following presentations to the City of Mequon and the Mequon-Thiensville Bike and Pedestrian Way Commission in March of 2023, a formal right-of-way agreement was signed between the City of Mequon and the MT Trails Foundation. After required safety and traffic impact studies were completed, a public information meeting was held by the design consultants in January 2025, and the design for the Path will be finalized by March 25, 2025. Construction is slated to begin in Summer of 2025, and the Bike Fed is excited that this important piece of cycling infrastructure will soon be a reality for Mequon residents and nearby communities. To stay up to date on this project, please visit: https://mtcgives.org/mttrails/

HWY 67 Tunnel

In 2016, Hwy 67 in Oconomowoc was expanded where it intersects with I-94, and with that expansion came plans for a tunnel underneath the highway for the many hikers, bikers, and walkers using the Lake Country Trail. However, after bids to finish the tunnel came back higher than the project was funded for, the almost-finished Hwy 67 tunnel has remained unusable for over six years.

Starting in the summer of 2021, Bike Fed worked with Representative Barb Dittrich, the City of Oconomowoc, and Waukesha County in order to find the funding needed to get this project completed. While the project was eligible to apply for a few different funding sources, Waukesha County applied for a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant in 2021 and was awarded $2.281 million in funding to complete the project. The Tunnel is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2023.

Peace Trail

Members of the Rock Trail Coalition have been working on the Peace Trail since 2014. The vision for the Peace Trail is to connect the cities of Beloit and Janesville with an off-road transportation corridor for bicycling and pedestrian uses. Once completed, the Peace Trail will connect north to Janesville’s segment of the Ice Age Trail and further north to the Glacial River Trail and the central Wisconsin trail system. To the south, the Peace Trail will eventually connect through City of Beloit trails to the northern Illinois trail system. 

As with so many trail projects throughout the state, the biggest obstacle to getting the Peace Trail completed has been funding. In 2022, the Rock Trail Coalition paved the last gravel portions of the beautiful 13.5 miles of trail that run along the Rock River.  The next step is to continue the Peace Trail into the City of Beloit. A Transportation Alternatives (TAP) grant was recently awarded for $445,296 towards the project. Support for the Peace Trail has also come from Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Funds, Rock County and individual donors.

Wagon Wheel Connector

Much like the spokes on a wheel, the Wagon Wheel Connector project in La Crosse will serve as a hub of interconnectivity for hundreds of miles of trails between Wisconsin and Minnesota communities. While the actual project is quite small – less than a mile long – the benefits for trail users on the state’s western coast would be far-reaching. 

The Wagon Wheel Connector involves creating a protected two-way bike and pedestrian lane on an already-existing bridge that connects La Crescent, Minnesota and La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Minnesota portion of the project is complete, it’s now time for the Wisconsin side to step up and get this project underway. 

Working alongside Bike Fed, local stakeholders submitted a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant in 2022 and were awarded $4,010,400. However, due to inflated design and construction costs, the City of La Crosse has applied for a federal RAISE grant to obtain the additional funds needed to complete the project.