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Council reviews options to seek TAP funds to pave We Energies trail; staff warns of long timeline and commitment risks
Summary
Council members discussed pursuing a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to pave the We Energies trail. Staff said engineering plus construction could total roughly $3.3 million, expected to be funded at an 80/20 federal/state-local split, with engineering estimated near $300,000 and earliest available construction funding in 2029; the
Committee members discussed pursuing TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) funding to pave the existing We Energies trail, with staff describing costs, timing and program constraints that would require a firm city commitment if the grant were awarded.
Staff said earlier estimates that treated the trail as a low-cost project were based on an incorrect assumption about required base work. After meeting with We Energies and DOT staff the city found a lower-spec paving approach may be feasible (narrower width, thinner asphalt) but the project remains expensive. Staff provided a planning-level total of about $3.3 million for design and construction for the full trail, with an 80/20 funding split commonly used for TAP projects; staff budgeted $300,000 for engineering and said engineering is typically about 10% of total design and construction costs.
Staff cautioned that TAP program years are booked through 2028 and the earliest construction funding the committee would likely receive is 2029–2030. The program requires a municipality to commit to the local match and to complete construction within the grant window; staff warned that if final construction costs grow due to inflation the city would remain responsible for its share of the increased cost. Staff also noted regional competition for TAP funds (Southeastern Wisconsin planning area) can favor larger jurisdictions such as Milwaukee.
Committee members discussed alternatives and priorities: apply for the We Energies trail, apply for another trail where no trail currently exists, or defer applying until the city can prepare more detailed engineering estimates. Alderperson Wolf signaled support for applying for the We Energies trail; other members asked staff to return with a clearer cost breakdown and a proposed schedule before committing to the grant application and any required council resolution to pledge local match funding.
No formal resolution was adopted; staff said they would prepare more detailed cost breakdowns and a proposal for the committee to consider at a future meeting.
