DeForest trustees favor trail connection over bridge ornamentation in River Road project

Trustees heard a staff presentation on the Interstate 39/51 corridor and the likely early replacement of the River Road bridge. Bill Chang, who introduced the item, said the corridor study spans a multi‑decade horizon but that the River Road bridge may be one of the earlier projects. He told the board that DOT’s policy places responsibility for any aesthetic add‑ons (medallions, stamped concrete) with the local community, while the DOT will provide a base multiuse path width and the village would pay for any extra width.

Judd (public services) described a likely trail connection across River Road and said Windsor indicated it would allow construction within its boundary but did not want to contribute to the cost. Staff estimated additional local costs for extra path width on the order of $100,000–$200,000. Trustees debated whether stamped concrete and decorative treatments—used elsewhere in the county—were worth the local expense. Trustee Jim said he preferred stamped patterns and recalled previous CSD funding covered similar work; others said the path is the priority. “I think the priority is on the path, and getting that path across in connection,” Bill Chang said when summarizing staff’s recommendation to focus on the trail first.

The board did not commit to paying for aesthetics but directed staff to ask DOT for pricing and to continue coordinating with Windsor and the landowner adjacent to River Road on right‑of‑way and access. Staff warned that real estate acquisition and appraisal work will be required under DOT procedures if the local government wants the additional trail width.