Resolution authorizing Sauk County to Submit One Application to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the 2026-2030 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Award Cycle

The Sauk County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the Great Sauk State Trail Master Plan in July 2024. The Plan identifies a preferred and alternate route that connects the built trail in the Sauk Prairie area to the 400 State Trail in Reedsburg. The Plan intends that the final construction of the trail will accommodate a 10-12 foot bituminous paved shared-use transportation facility that will be physically separated from vehicular traffic as much as possible. One of the project goals, as expressed in the plan, is to provide a regional recreational trail experience connecting multiple communities; however, where the trail is located in incorporated areas, it is anticipated that the trail will also serve as an alternative transportation option to traditional vehicular options to access local destination businesses and attractions by residents and recreational trail users alike.

The planning process included a significant amount of involvement from the affected municipalities, state agencies, and other stakeholder groups to develop, review, and refine the plan. The plan identified Sauk County as the primary sponsor of the planning process and continued plan implementation through coordination with affected municipalities and state agencies, leading to a fully constructed trail.

Specifically, the plan more particularly identifies a route and recommendations by segment. This resolution, more particularly, applies to the North Freedom Segment, attached in map form in Appendix A. 

Sauk County seeks to apply for a Transportation Alternative Program award to develop substantial design and construction plans for the North Freedom segment. It is intended that the substantial plans include, but not be limited to, items such as a detailed trail alignment,  topographic survey of the route, a geotechnical report, an archeological study, draft specifications for materials and equipment, cost confirmation for construction, and regulatory provisions. The overall intent is to move the trail project within these segments from a  conceptual idea to detailed execution, presenting the project’s features in a detailed and reviewable format to affected municipalities, state agencies, and the public.

Sauk County, being the project sponsor, will continue to coordinate the trail project with affected municipalities, state agencies, and the public, including, but not limited to, securing easements or other related agreements to utilize state and municipal road rights-of-way, 4 coordinating opportunities for community engagement, particularly in the downtown areas of North Freedom and Rock Springs, and assuring that project goals are met within specified timeframes and allocated budgetary parameters.

The cost of this project, including the deliverables of detailed design and engineering plans, is estimated to be between 1 million and 1.5 million. Sauk County will be requesting $500,000 from the Transportation Alternatives Program, meaning our local share of $500,000 will meet or exceed the local match requirement.