County Executive Joe Parisi Announces Partnerships to Improve University Avenue, Other Busy Local Roads
March 23, 2017
Stephanie Miller 608-267-8823
County Executive
Today County Executive Parisi announced partnerships with three Dane County communities to improve a number of busy local roads including University Avenue (County Hwy MS) in Middleton, Jefferson Street in Oregon (County Hwy CC) and Main and Broadhead Streets (County Highway MN) in McFarland. Under the agreements, the county and each local unit of government are sharing in the cost of re-doing the roads with the community agreeing to then take over the ongoing maintenance of the new and improved roadway. A resolution approving funds for the projects will be introduced at tonight’s Dane County Board meeting.
The largest of the three projects includes the reconstruction of part of University Avenue in the City of Middleton. Dane County and Middleton will each invest $1.5 million to reconstruct University Avenue from Allen Boulevard to 450 feet west of Park Street. Construction is set to begin this spring. As part of this project, bike lanes will be added from Allen Boulevard to Branch Street to improve safety for motorist and cyclists. The City of Middleton will then take over snow removal and maintenance on this stretch of road beginning this November.
The county and the village of Oregon will both invest $200,000 to reconstruct CTH CC (Jefferson Street) from the railroad overhead to Ash Street. Construction is set to begin this summer. As part of the agreement, CTH CC from CTH MM/Main street to Ash Street within the corporate limits of the Village will be transferred to the Village of Oregon on November 1, 2017 and will no longer be a County Trunk Highway.
In McFarland, the county and village will re-do a stretch of Highway MN which includes a portion of Main and Broadhead Streets. The county’s share of this work costs $240,000 with the village picking up $370,000. Construction will happen this summer. As part of the agreement, CTH MN from Long Street to Marsh Road within the corporate limits of the Village will be transferred to the Village of McFarland this November as well.
In his 2017 budget Dane County Executive Parisi made the biggest investment in history into Dane County’s highways. In addition to road repairs, his budget added a total of five new positions to the Highway Department. This demonstrated commitment to safer, better maintained roads through all seasons will keep county roads clear in the winter and also help address rapidly spreading invasive weeds like wild parsnip sprout in roadside ditches next spring.
“As our county continues to grow, we must invest in our infrastructure,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “These projects will help our thriving communities and aid in public safety. Thank you to the Village of Oregon, City of Middleton and Village of McFarland for the partnership.”