A Better Badger Trail

A new bridge will lift the Badger trail over
McKee Road in Fitchburg. 9/13/20 (dwm)

The Badger State Bike Trail runs mostly north - south between Madison and Monroe then south to the Illinois State line.

The heaviest traveled portion is south from Madison to where the paving stops and the trail becomes crushed limestone until you reach the Land of Lincoln.

There are two places where bikers need to be cautious.  The first is where the trail crosses County Highway M between Verona and Oregon.  The speed limit is 55. 

A year or two ago crossing signs and flashing lights were installed so bikers and runners could push a button to start flashing yellow lights.  Those lights don't stop traffic, but most drivers slow down and yield so bikers can cross.  

The other tough spot for bikes, runners, and walkers is in Fitchburg.  The four lane street known as McKee Road is an urban highway with a 40 mile an hour speed limit.  The Badger Trail crossing had flashing yellow lights (good) and obstructed fields of vision (bad).  It was a recipe for disaster.

This year a bridge was installed over the dangerous crossing with dirt piled high on either side of the road; cement poured; and a suspended walk installed.

When I checked it 10 days ago it wasn't quite finished, but it's close.  It is the second bike/pedestrian bridge in a one mile stretch of McKee Road.  This one carries Badger trail riders.  The other links the Military Ridge Trail to the Cannonball Path; Capital City; and Southwest Commuter trails.

There are a lot of people who benefit from these safe crossings - motorists, bikers, runners, and walkers.  It's nice to see the political will to get it done.