No, not Verona Rd this time. This project is west of Verona and into Iowa County. http://host.madison.com/news/local/state-plans-to-convert-us-to-limited-access-freeway-in/article_8d0d2214-cb80-11e1-91e1-001a4bcf887a.html
Why should Bikies care? Because those of us that bike out into western Dane County sometimes need to cross 18/151 on our rides. Right now, we can do that at-grade, and the crossings are relatively frequent. this is the part that will affect us: "Once finished, all direct access to U.S. 18/151 will be removed, with existing intersections converted to highway interchanges, overpasses or cul-de-sacs. Intersecting driveways will be redirected to new and existing local roads that will connect to the interchanges." Likely the result will be: 1. Fewer crossings of 18/151. When one is in a car, it might not be a big deal to drive a couple miles out of your way to get to the other side, but it is a big deal on a bike. 2. Some of (fewer) the crossings will be interchanges. Because there will be fewer crossings, the traffic will be concentrated on the remaining ones. Interchanges are a huge problem to cross on a bike, even for the most skilled and fearless bicyclist. What should we ask for? Some strategically placed pedestrian/bicycle over/underpasses to provide important connectivity for non-motorized transportation. The idea of any of the local roads becoming a cul-de-sac or only connecting to an interchange is a very bad idea. Most rural areas of Wisconsin have a 1-mile grid of local roads. This should be maintained, with opportunities to cross 18/151 no less than a mile apart. If anyone wants to go to the meeting, here are the details: The DOT will have public information meetings on the project on July 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m at the Mount Horeb Community Center and on July 26 also from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Dodgeville Middle School. I am cc'ing Bike Fed on this. I'm sure someone from there will want to have input. Robbie Webber Transportation Policy Analyst State Smart Transportation Initiative www.ssti.us 608-263-9984 (o) 608-225-0002 (c) [email protected]
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