East Troy board supports WISDOT TAP grant for East Troy–Muckwonago multiuse path; cost-sharing and right‑of‑way raise questions

The Village Board approved a resolution supporting a WISDOT Transportation Alternatives (TAP) grant application for a multiuse path linking East Troy and Muckwonago.

Eileen, village staff, summarized the final planning study and the memorandum of understanding describing cost sharing among the Village of East Troy, the Town of East Troy and the Village of Muckwonago. The planning study places the path on the south side of Highway ES rather than inside the railroad right-of-way, after the railroad expressed objections.

Staff said the project is divided into five phases; the application cycle occurs every two years and staff estimated full completion could take 10–15 years depending on grant awards. Under the 2023 MOU staff cited, splitting project costs evenly across the three municipalities would amount to about $567,800 per municipality over the multi-phase program. Staff also provided per-segment cost examples: the first segment’s cost, if split evenly, would be about $73,200 per municipality; if the village were solely responsible for that first segment, the village’s 20% share was stated as about $219,500.

Staff warned right-of-way acquisition costs are ineligible for the TAP grant and could be substantial: the memo cited right-of-way assumptions just over $500,000 (per jurisdiction in the transcript discussion) and observed the aggregated right-of-way cost across jurisdictions could exceed $1.5 million. Because right-of-way is not grant eligible, staff and board members discussed whether the village should continue to lead and temporarily advance planning costs; staff noted the village had already funded a roughly $90,000 planning study that will be 80% reimbursable if grant rules are met and that the village would bill partners for their 20% share.

Board members debated whether to submit the application regardless of the town’s participation; the board ultimately approved the resolution as presented. The transcript records the Village of Muckwonago had approved the resolution and the Town of East Troy was considering it that same evening. Staff noted the grant deadline was Oct. 31 and the village did not have another board meeting before that date.

Why it matters

If funded, the path would connect existing and planned village trails and provide pedestrian and bicycle access to parks and the dog park. However, the large non‑eligible right-of-way costs and the long, multi-phase schedule mean substantial local fund commitments and years of staging would be required.

What’s next

Staff will submit the TAP application and work with Muckwonago and the town to finalize cost-sharing and staging if the grant is awarded.