Dane County Sets Record Year for Roadwork
November 28, 2017
Stephanie Miller 608-267-8823
County Executive
Today, County Executive Joe Parisi announced that the Dane County Department of Public Works, Highway, and Transportation had its most productive year ever. A total of 38 miles of county highways were paved using 126,000 tons of asphaltic pavement—nearly double any previous year’s work. The county replaced more culverts, repaired more bridges, signed more detours and roads, completed more grading and shouldering, and painted more centerline than ever before.
“As the fastest growing county in the state, Dane County’s roads are being used now more than ever before,” said County Executive Joe Parisi. “I have made it a priority to ensure our roads are safe for our growing population and properly maintained to further Dane County’s growing economy.”
In his 2017 budget, Dane County Executive Parisi made the biggest investment in the Dane County Department of Public Works, Highway, and Transportation’s history by allocating over $16 million to highway construction. Each 2017 highway construction project was completed on time and under budget. Not only was Dane County able to complete its $3 million University Avenue Construction project with the City of Middleton, but Dane County also partnered with the Village of Oregon to reconstruct County Highway CC/ Jefferson Street from Main Street to Ash Street.
Since first taking office in 2011, County Executive Parisi has invested over $55 million in highway construction projects. The County Executive’s 2018 budget includes over $14.5 million in county highway resurfacing and reconstruction, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure as Dane County continues to grow.
In October, County Executive Parisi announced that his 2018 budget will study expanding Highway M to four lanes to better accommodate heavy traffic, resurface a portion of Highway Q for safer travel, and accelerate development of the North Mendota Bike Trail. These projects will collectively represent a nearly $3.5 million investment.
Other upcoming projects in 2018 include improvements to Fish Hatchery Road south of the Beltline to McKee Road and the expansion of Highway M linking the west side of Madison with Verona. Several projects are also planned for rural sections of county highways, including the resurfacing of Highway P north of the Village of Cross Plains to Highway K and Highway A from Highway PB to State Highway 69 in the Town of Montrose.