[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6203860,"mediaKeyId","3781246-5958f7f43b94805760fca8ec635dc560","parentId",3781246,"title","Madison commission approves Metro Transit stop and trip changes after heated public objections over Petrona stop","audioSeconds",45,"startMs",783000,"endMs",828000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3781246-5958f7f43b94805760fca8ec635dc560&start=783&end=828","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3781246-5958f7f43b94805760fca8ec635dc560/thumbnail_783000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6203860/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Madison-commission-approves-Metro-Transit-stop-and-trip-changes-after-heated-public-objections-over-Petrona-stop","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203860-fb9813ed52731ecda657fdea6ea6e14d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568577&Signature=QnlC8-GssbnzjN-DRjVm7BzfdXEMCUACYydEoWHJHaHFeejBTPPWGbUQi9wXIht3RzGfEa42cWTgT2NuOJGad25tGh1AhxyE3hoNuTxsBL9hKQB0lwm8HY56R3-r9wITZJFw52jehOHQqCngtBVIrZor5EWEVMb6Xv0J-6Mxyb~bKq6MinTNED02HXVjdjPWOEZOewE3PflJKWhWjOnrwdoNbrA32joYdDjQWW8ZkiDoipV6E8mx8fCyyLRndQ-SwVS2lfiXbF4GuQgxqfeTGCIeqLkHCHRXo7OpYRkFU8QPG-tI0mEbPfjhJF-B--9QZwkC48Smbkr6GTFjS6c8fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Madison, WI","date","2025-06-11T21:18:57Z","article","The Madison Transportation Commission voted on June 11 to approve a package of Metro Transit stop relocations and trip reallocations — including changes tied to the D2 extension and Route 75 — after public comment and a split vote on one contested Petrona/Fitzhrona stop.

Metro Transit staff said the adjustments are meant to keep service on time and to integrate the D2 extension; staff described the work as part of rebalancing morning and afternoon trips on Route 75 and finalizing stop locations for the D2 alignment.

Why it mattered: The packet includes several stop consolidations and relocations across the transit network and a reallocation of some Route 75 trips to allow the D2 extension to operate without adding an extra bus at peak times. One specific removal — a stop near the Petrona/Nesbitt roundabout (stop ID 4649) — drew multiple public speakers who said the change would lengthen walking times and reduce transit access for non-drivers.

Metro Transit rationale and data

Metro staff presented ridership and operational data to support the changes. Sean, a Metro Transit planner, said the Petrona stop had about nine boardings a day in April and about four per day in winter months, and that most of the area near McKee and Manchester would be served by D2. Mike, Metro’s capital projects manager, summarized other stop moves and safety or operational concerns, including a construction-driven relocation near University Row and proposals to consolidate the South Transfer Point activity to Park and Hughes as Park Badger redevelopment closes the existing transfer lot.

“...we do have about 9 boardings at that stop ID 4649 at Petrona Nesbit…in the winter, we have about 4,” Sean said during the presentation.

Public concerns: walk distance, paratransit and new development

Several Fitchburg-area residents and neighborhood speakers opposed removing the Petrona/Nesbitt stop. Heidi Wenner, who said she lives in the affected apartments, told the commission the change would lengthen the walk uphill in winter for her husband, who does not drive. “If we're expanding the D2 to go out to Verona, you're taking away a stop that my husband who doesn't drive…has multiple — there's multiple other people in this neighborhood that you are taking away a stop,” she said.

David Martin, who said his community is 82 households and moved there for bus access, told commissioners that ridership is growing and that the 10-minute walk figure in staff materials understates the uphill, winter difficulty for residents: “A thousand steps is a lot of steps to take…that incline and getting to that stop, it's kind of a tough thing for folks.”

Staff said they examined paratransit impacts and found that the consolidation would not remove current paratransit-registered riders’ eligibility; Sean said staff checked with paratransit and found no registered users in a specific portion of the area that would lose coverage. Still, several commissioners and attendees raised equity concerns about non-drivers and people with limited mobility being pushed toward paratransit or longer walks.

Commission debate and votes

Commissioners spent more than an hour discussing operational tradeoffs, routing alternatives (including using the Fitzhrona roundabout to loop back to McKee), and the risk that keeping a low-use stop would add minutes to all other riders’ trips. Commissioners noted that the D2 route is long and already constrained by peak travel times.

The commission first voted to approve the package of proposed changes with the Petrona/Fitzhrona stop matter deferred (motion carried by roll call). The commission then took a separate roll-call vote on the Fitzhrona/Petrona changes as proposed. The final roll call recorded five yes votes and four no votes; the motion to adopt the Fitzhrona/Petrona changes as presented carried.

What was decided

- The commission approved Metro Transit’s full package of stop and trip changes, including the reallocation of some Route 75 trips and the stop relocations tied to the D2 extension. The contested removal near Petrona/Nesbitt (stop ID 4649) was approved by a 5–4 roll-call vote after separate consideration.

What Metro and the community said next

Staff acknowledged the public concerns and said they would continue field monitoring and could revisit stop placement if ridership or development patterns change. Metro said some stop relocations were intended to align with planned accessible stop upgrades and with future North-South BRT planning in the Park/Badger area.

For now, Metro plans to implement the approved changes and to use detours or temporary adjustments if construction or other issues arise; commissioners said they expect continued monitoring and follow-up reports from Metro as the D2 extension and other changes begin operating.

Ending

The vote finalizes Metro Transit’s stop and trip changes for implementation planning. Commissioners and members of the public stressed they will watch ridership, winter walking conditions and paratransit needs as these changes take effect, and staff said they would bring monitoring data back to the commission.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Transportation Commission: Meeting of June 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Madison Transportation Commission voted June 11 to approve a package of Metro Transit stop relocations and trip reallocations, including changes tied to the D2 extension and Route 75; one contested removal near the Petrona/Nesbitt roundabout drew sustained public opposition and a narrow 5–4 approval on that item.","taxTitle","Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin","taxId",2852,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6203850,"Commission reviews four TAP grant bids; staff asks to prioritize BeltLine frontage and Garver-Path connections",76,201000,277000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3781246-5958f7f43b94805760fca8ec635dc560&start=201&end=277","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3781246-5958f7f43b94805760fca8ec635dc560/thumbnail_201000.jpg","/articles/6203850/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Commission-reviews-four-TAP-grant-bids-staff-asks-to-prioritize-BeltLine-frontage-and-Garver-Path-connections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203850-ca47ccb9fab99b556b3ffea4a3956bb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568577&Signature=ovN2LauDf-ATrfspQA~O8wVok1cHE6ioRte6jE6pAXJ17vIzeuJdsW7wxd8mRn82wkMcJXo5HBmRNQhBRIS7EbM0~BtMhFLSovS9TufmCrFKFWtEKvLeVIIjaaUry8YzWjeb90EyrVcXcp5jXjmnS97w~LXs0uVhwrERqerbkh77Sgd5GHElLeXcHM2b7kP~wcWTOcE8yq9JfewC4AmvL7CAPDJbQERU5lGQBTooWhvIaJbHn8421rTtlrb~Jwc5PEpHmZgJ8lboqjdbx~yW7W0eXY7HCWOGGnA9W46LMFBWNEFoDQhJRCV~Hm1vWS1uVjy~efJEJkMoMxFKwmTmrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City transportation staff briefed the Transportation Commission on four proposed Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant applications on June 11 and asked for feedback on prioritization as applications are compiled for the Madison area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).

What staff proposed

Kevin Lucky, the city’s pedestrian and bicycle coordinator, presented four candidate projects that the city intends to submit to WisDOT (via the MPO):

- BeltLine / Frontage Road shared-use path: Extend an existing path on the south side of the BeltLine east to Landmark Place to fill a gap where there is currently no pedestrian facility.
- Garver Path extension (Starkweather/Marsh View connection): Extend paths that a private developer will construct so the Marsh View underpass of Highway 30 connects to new off-street paths north of Milwaukee Street.
- Odana Road side path: Build a side-path adjacent to Odana Road to link the Southwest Path spur to neighborhood streets; staff noted a lower-cost on-street alternative that had been discussed in prior planning but said a shared-use path would provide a higher-comfort connection.
- Autumn Ridge Path extension: Tie the recently completed Autumn Ridge bridge and path to the Marsh View and other path networks; staff noted the Stoughton Road north project would eventually extend a path in this area but that connection is years away.

Staff recommendation and commission feedback

Kevin said the BeltLine / Frontage Road path should be the top priority because it had been previously approved in an earlier TAP round but lost funding when WisDOT reduced MPO allocations; it fills an existing sidewalk gap and scored well in prior MPO review. The Garver Path extension came next in his suggested ranking because that project will connect to developer-funded paths under construction soon and would greatly increase the utility of an existing underpass of Highway 30.

Odana Road was presented as a mid-term project; staff said building a full off-street path is costlier because it requires moving curb and modifying storm and drainage features, though a lower-cost, on-street-design option exists. The Autumn Ridge extension ranked lower in staff’s order because the longer Stoughton Road work needed to tie it into the broader path network is not yet scheduled.

Commissioners provided input and endorsed staff’s suggested order. Several members emphasized the BeltLine and Garver extensions’ ability to deliver low-stress, off-street connections that link neighborhoods to retail and job-access routes. One commissioner flagged Odana’s higher cost if curb shifts are required and suggested staff keep the lower-cost option on the table.

Next steps

Staff will submit grant applications with the proposed project rankings to the MPO/WisDOT window. Staff explained TAP is an 80% reimbursement program for eligible capital costs; the city would need to provide the local match. Kevin said he would return with application results when awards are announced.

Ending

Commissioners supported staff’s prioritization and asked the transportation team to preserve lower-cost alternatives where feasible for high-cost corridors. The city will resubmit the BeltLine frontage path and pursue the Garver Path extension as high-priority TAP applications.

","City staff asked the Transportation Commission to prioritize four TAP grant applications on June 11; staff recommended the BeltLine/frontage path and a Garver/Marsh View connection as the top two projects and commissioners endorsed that ranking.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6203854,"Commission approves Davidson–Maher–Park–Gary street rebuild with one-sided sidewalks to preserve tree canopy",677,833000,1510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3781246-5958f7f43b94805760fca8ec635dc560&start=833&end=1510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3781246-5958f7f43b94805760fca8ec635dc560/thumbnail_833000.jpg","/articles/6203854/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Commission-approves-DavidsonMaherParkGary-street-rebuild-with-one-sided-sidewalks-to-preserve-tree-canopy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203854-681a9acc15a35f0821c00544b4bb6798/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568577&Signature=PNDLaFW582Hcr6tLBj8Tvx~myYVYZZtt2pzZAFtCC44PGvlPLNViqG2pK-beFHw6CUOp-QgMPuvDaKgOwVUtp~s524OyEmCilh6D642KB7XjNTww0GgVYMcbcV0Wrbu6v7v2zxVTYHmc-e-kQdUegvoA568M4~GncCGodh0Ht~3kWsQXJ5IhDPNOQ4cgC5DcGA0vR2igr466HnHJesqP4A4wuVxSFs9SZD1eXAugY8IObXgy6R2fDXinI3Cyii4~GLbKPBh64HODGjUBJ--rEXFshwE-N547Aq9AZuk3InkQbd1eb~zpDHxKYVQVMWWGYflhL1NMIYpSX2azHUzbWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Madison Transportation Commission on June 11 approved design plans for a full-street reconstruction covering Maher Avenue, Davidson Street, Park Court and Gary Street. The plan includes new curb and gutter, replacement of water and sanitary sewer, stormwater features and sidewalks; commissioners approved single-sided sidewalks on most blocks to preserve substantial existing tree canopy.

Why it matters: The project covers neighborhood streets near Cottage Grove and Atwood that currently lack continuous pedestrian facilities. Staff and residents both emphasized tree preservation: several older, large street trees cluster along Maher and Gary, and staff said removing curb and widening terraces to install sidewalks on both sides would require many tree removals.

Project scope and staff rationale

Jose Navarro, the project lead from the city’s transportation department, walked the commission through alternatives presented in public information meetings. Options included sidewalks on both sides (higher cost and large tree impact) or one-sided sidewalks that keep most trees and create narrower vehicle travelways (neighborhood-yield streets). Navarro showed maps and counts: where both-side sidewalks were modeled the design would trigger seven known tree removals and multiple potential impacts; the one-sided option reduced that substantially.

“We are trying to keep within the existing pavement edge to give these trees a better fighting chance,” Navarro said when describing the preferred alignment.

Public comments and tree preservation

Neighbors raised concerns, particularly for the Park Court / Gary Street cul-de-sac, with residents submitting petitions and speaking to commissioners. Ken Morrow, a Gary Street resident near the cul-de-sac, said new, young trees are establishing a sound-and-visual buffer near the highway and asked that the design avoid removing those saplings.

“There's a lot of nature that is around our neighborhood that we really value…if we could keep the circle to the pavement line and avoid all those saplings and things that are really starting to grow up well, that would be fantastic,” Morrow said.

Katia Marshall, speaking for households on the cul-de-sac, said petition signers were not against street and utility upgrades but opposed a sidewalk extension to the cul-de-sac. She raised maintenance concerns and asked what ADA guidelines require for dead-end residential streets. Jose and staff described ADA obligations and said the design team checked whether sidewalks were necessary on cul-de-sac segments; they also described options for limiting sidewalk extent to reduce tree impacts.

What the commission decided

After public comment and staff adjustments (Jose noted a revised alignment that preserved a notable hickory tree at the Maher–Davidson corner), Commissioner Bill Bremer moved to approve the proposed cross sections (one-sided sidewalks where shown); Alder William Okovich seconded. Commissioners approved the proposal; staff will finalize detail design and field-test tracking turning movements for the cul-de-sac bulb and similar tight locations.

Implementation and follow-up

Staff will preserve terrace space where feasible and will coordinate with Forestry on new plantings where appropriate. The plan also includes stormwater work in easements near the YMCA that will require removal of a small cluster of trees in the utility alignment; Metro and parks staff had consulted the YMCA and parks on those impacts. The commission asked staff to seek low-impact options where possible and to return with any significant changes that would expand tree removals.

Ending

The commission’s approval advances a multi-phase reconstruction program that the city expects to continue in future construction seasons; staff said the immediate next steps are final design, coordination on tree/forestry work, and scheduling for the fall 2025 / spring–summer 2026 construction window.

","The Transportation Commission approved a proposed full reconstruction of Davidson Street, Maher Avenue, Park Court and Gary Street that adds curb, gutters, stormwork and sidewalks. Staff proposed one-sided sidewalks in most blocks to reduce removal of large trees; the commission approved the design after public comment and staff adjustments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6203845,"Commission adopts updated annual work plan adding yearly PROWAG review",56,800000,856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3781246-5958f7f43b94805760fca8ec635dc560&start=800&end=856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3781246-5958f7f43b94805760fca8ec635dc560/thumbnail_800000.jpg","/articles/6203845/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Commission-adopts-updated-annual-work-plan-adding-yearly-PROWAG-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203845-6a01f5151c0b9e1d3766241f5a330033/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568577&Signature=KH~64F9jfCajjjOUzjnKTCihfwn0s-wd~inDdJRBCS6S1pFx1dk8Pt82KRs4F~zdGEJWss1vPwZ~g3w41qoNgBD6cW9TlTOUeUsore-ief~8H1IZJuIgt6vD25dHOHDtvq9b5QoTFUz8ma-AP~X3rRkNSkJfegRDNQ9GzvkEDwTariZTGv2x~SlwvLtTAL1g2kY3Fr7BhJsOHkTP9MqOaRti3IktrvtXnPmZEXaoITLydruu2obFWn-P9md2pxKm3LtJltkypzQWK1yP~uVbdeXCfRP~UpNkkdiHqpewJ7PoX5C9WBSWlm4CmKl3oMjmEVE3JXHwutgdA0~TPb2Iow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Madison Transportation Commission adopted an updated 2025–26 work plan at its June 11 meeting that includes a new, annual review of the city’s ongoing compliance with PROWAG (Public Right‑of‑Way Accessibility Guidelines).

Why it matters: Commissioners requested more frequent reporting on PROWAG implementation and the city’s ADA transition plan. PROWAG is guidance issued by the United States Access Board that shapes accessibility requirements for public-right-of-way features such as curb ramps and crosswalks; commissioners asked for an annual check-in in addition to the regular three‑year ADA transition review.

What changed and how staff will report

Chair Anne Kovich summarized the edits as “mostly minor” and said staff worked out a reporting format. The revised plan adds language requiring at least an annual update to the commission on city progress toward PROWAG-related improvements and clarifies how staff will circulate agenda materials and late changes.

Commission action

Commissioner Bill Bremer moved to approve the updated work plan; the motion carried by unanimous consent. Commissioners asked staff to include concise summaries of progress on PROWAG implementation in the annual cycle and to highlight any near-term decisions or policy changes that would affect accessibility in the public right-of-way.

Ending

The updated work plan is adopted and will guide the commission’s review schedule; staff committed to providing the annual PROWAG update and to follow-up reports as needed.

","The Transportation Commission approved minor changes to its July 2025–June 2026 work plan on June 11 that add an annual review of the city’s compliance with PROWAG (Public Right‑of‑Way Accessibility Guidelines) and clarify procedures for circulating agenda changes to commissioners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Madison commission approves Metro Transit stop and trip changes after heated public objections over Petrona stop

Commission reviews four TAP grant bids; staff asks to prioritize BeltLine frontage and Garver-Path connections

Commission approves Davidson–Maher–Park–Gary street rebuild with one-sided sidewalks to preserve tree canopy

Commission adopts updated annual work plan adding yearly PROWAG review