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City staff outline 2026–31 Transportation Improvement Program; commission accepts report for review
Summary
City Engineering presented the draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), outlining prioritized reconstruction, resurfacing, bikeway, sidewalk and bridge projects and potential federal grant applications; the commission accepted the report for review and asked staff to incorporate feedback before budget submission.
City Engineering presented a draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2026–2031 and asked the Transportation Commission for review and feedback; the commission did not take an adoption vote and directed staff to continue refining the list ahead of the city budget submission.
Chris Petakowski, City Engineering, described program-level priorities: reconstruction projects (selected high-scoring segments such as MacArthur/Larson, Sycamore, Evergreen), a resurfacing program that typically chips seals 50–70 miles and crack-seals 50–100 miles annually, a bikeways/path resurfacing program, a two-district-per-year sidewalk replacement program, and smaller bridge repairs. Petakowski explained the department is using a multi-layer scoring tool to prioritize segments and that many large projects rely on federal funds such as the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
Key standalone and federally funded projects discussed include John Nolan Drive reconstruction (including bridge replacements and separate phases through 2028–2029), Mineral Point Road pavement and storm improvements, West Town Path phase work, and prospective STBG/TAP applications for segments such as Pleasant View Road, Hecker/Portage corridor upgrades tied to a proposed I-39 interchange, and Midtown–Raymond realignment pieces. Petakowski also noted potential city cost-share components tied to larger WisDOT corridor studies on US-51 and I-39 and asked commissioners to forward project ideas before the April budget submittal.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether WisDOT projects appear in the TIP (Petakowski said WisDOT items are shown if the city has a cost-share or coordination role) and sequencing for large projects. No formal motion was requested; Petakowski said staff will continue to refine the TIP and incorporate feedback for the April budget submission.
The presentation included condition metrics: citywide pavement goals and current performance (local and collector streets meeting or exceeding targets; arterials above goal threshold), and staff highlighted the need to keep addressing streets rated at condition 3. Petakowski encouraged commissioners and members of the public to submit project suggestions while staff finalizes the TIP for the mayor’s budget request.
