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La Crosse council accepts state carbon-reduction grant to harden Second Street cycle track despite business and maintenance concerns
Summary
Council approved a state Carbon Reduction Program municipal financial agreement to install a permanent barrier on the two-way Second Street cycle track. Council discussion focused on maintenance costs, ADA access and a roughly $80,000 city match; supporters argued it improves safety and equity.
The La Crosse City Council voted to accept a State Carbon Reduction Program municipal financial agreement to install a more permanent physical barrier on the two-way Second Street cycle track. The item — removed from consent for discussion — drew an extended exchange about maintenance, accessibility, business access and funding splits before the council adopted the agreement.
City staff and planning directors explained the grant is specifically for this project and cannot be reallocated to other uses. The grant requires a local match discussed in the meeting; staff estimated the city’s matching portion at about $80,000. Director Gallagher said the project is already included in next year’s capital budget for design and soft costs and that the construction let date is targeted for 2028.
Opponents raised practical concerns. “The maintenance cost in the future is gonna be through the roof because they are going to hit it,” Council member Podescu said, warning that bollards and temporary features had been damaged repeatedly and that a permanent solution could create trip hazards if not designed for snowplow and pedestrian use.
Supporters said the current bollards are inadequate and that a permanent median would improve safety and encourage more people — including families and people with disabilities — to bike downtown. Mayor Washington Spivey described the temporary bollards as ineffective and said the cycle track “has a huge purpose” for pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Staff also clarified operational questions: the design would include ADA openings at intersections and driveways, gaps would be provided for loading and business access, and the design process would include public outreach and the NEPA/State review steps required for federal/state grants. The design likely would be reviewed by the Board of Public Works, and staff said the council could provide design guidance to consider greener separators or planters.
The council approved the municipal financial agreement after discussion. Staff warned that not accepting the agreement could risk the grant funds being reallocated to other communities.
Next steps: proceed with design, public engagement and NEPA/state approvals, with construction tentatively scheduled for 2028.
