Resolution Introduced in Support of North Mendota Parkway Study
May 17, 2012
Supervisor Tim Kiefer
Dane County Board of Supervisors
(358-7213)
County Board
Dane County Supervisors Tim Kiefer and Dianne Hesselbein will introduce a resolution to the County Board on Thursday supporting an updated study for a North Mendota Parkway.
The resolution asks the State Department of Transportation to consider developing a North Mendota Parkway and conduct a new traffic study in the area to determine the traffic needs. The resolution also makes clear that any such parkway should not go through downtown Waunakee.
“By passing this resolution, Dane County’s leadership will be clear that we support moving forward with the planning process and oppose a four-lane Main Street in Waunakee,” said Supervisor Kiefer, who represents Waunakee. “We need to stop any future attempt by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to turn downtown Waunakee’s Main Street into a four-lane highway.”
In October 2003, the North Mendota Parkway Alternatives Study identified the need for a four-lane, limited access parkway on the north side of Lake Mendota, connecting Interstate 30/90/94 at State Highway 19 with U.S. Highway 12 near county M. A subsequent oversight committee implemented several initial steps needed to create the NMP, including a mapping of a “North E-Way” corridor that the Dane County Board of supervisors endorsed in May of 2010.
The Village of Waunakee Board of Trustees previously voted against the DOT proposal to convert Main Street in Waunakee to four lanes.
“I am pleased we included a strong statement against creating a four-lane Main Street in Waunakee in this resolution,” said Supervisor Hesselbein. “Waunakee residents and business have been very clear that a four-lane Main Street would be detrimental to their community, and the County will now be on record as opposing that as well.”
Environmental leaders also support studying the development of a NMP that does not travel through downtown Waunakee.
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