Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Trails And Parks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
BPAC hears trail and safety-plan progress for Grama/Grand Crossing, Goose Island and Wagon Wheel projects
Summary
Committee received design and schedule updates on the Grama/Grand Crossing Trail (culvert removal, phased spillway work), Goose Island/Highway 35 realignment with shared-use path grading, Wagon Wheel permitting and timeline, and a regional SS4A safety-action-plan outreach schedule.
At the Oct. 14 meeting BPAC members received status reports on multiple active projects and a regional safety plan.
Grama/Grand Crossing Trail: Staff said the project (partly funded by the Wisconsin DOT TAP program) has proceeded nearly two years in design and faced environmental constraints that forced removal of a culvert from the current scope. Remaining work includes repaving and a spillway reconstruction; the design is being finalized and staff expect to advertise for bids in the coming weeks with construction anticipated to begin late winter. Because of environmental and access constraints, staff said the trail elevation will not be raised; instead a hardened (concrete with riprap) spillway will be built to reduce washouts.
Goose Island/Highway 35: Francis said preconstruction work and signage are underway and a roadway realignment will shift Highway 35 east between County GI and Sunnyside to make room for a shared-use path on the west side; the project was let as combined roadway and TAP paving work and will pause over winter with projected completion in November 2026. Francis said maps and project information are available on the host project website and offered to provide specific cost numbers to BPAC members on request.
Wagon Wheel Trail: Staff reported progress toward 90% design, permitting work with consultant SEH (section 10 and 9 permits, special-use permits) and plans to widen the Cameron and Cass Street bridge sidewalk to 10 feet and construct a separated 14-foot path tied into the bike-mill trail. Key dates cited were final PS&E in February 2026, bid letting in May 2026, and construction from August 2026 through 2027.
Regional safety action plan (SS4A): Staff described outreach completed during "week without driving," consultant engagement, a public comment map, and pop-up events and rides with local leaders; the plan covers the La Crosse region rather than only the city and the project team requested BPAC feedback on the draft survey and map.
Quotes and specifics: "We're calling it a Hargan spillway," staff said while describing the hardened spillway design intended to reduce closure time after high-velocity flows. Francis said the Goose Island project contractor is on board and that "anticipated completion will be in November 2026."
