SAUK CREEK SANITARY ACCESS ROAD, PHASE 2

In 2012, the City of Madison Engineering Division will be completing the second phase of the Sauk Creek Sanitary Access Road.  Phase 1 of the project completed an access road that begins at Tree Lane and extends approximately 2200 feet to the north.

The purpose of both sections of the road is to provide both maintenance and emergency access to a relatively large sanitary main that runs through the greenway.  The 21-inch main collects wastewater from approximately 890 acres and over 950 parcels. 

Phase 2 of the road will be constructed in the northern section of the East Mendota – Pheasant Branch Greenway, also called the Sauk Creek Greenway.  The 950-foot road will begin off N. High Point Road, and follow a detention basin berm along the northern and eastern edges.  The road will then turn north and follow the sanitary main, which runs near the rear property lines of the residents on Farmington Way. There will be one turn around location constructed along the road.  A generalized map is included here:

Site Map

The road will be constructed with a 12-inch gravel base.  Six inches of topsoil will be placed over the base.  This will be seeded.  The finish grade of the road will be at or near the existing ground; therefore, once the vegetation has reestablished, the road will be nearly indistinguishable from the adjacent ground.  Click on the figure below to see a typical cross-section of the road.

Typical Cross-Section

In addition to constructing the road, the project will encompass dredging the detention basin.  The southern two-thirds of the basin contains a great deal of sediment that has been deposited over the years, so much so that water flow into the basin is being impeded.  This sediment will be removed, the disturbed areas will be topsoiled and seeded.

Once constructed, the road will be used for sanitary maintenance and any creek projects that may occur.  Maintenance will be performed approximately every two to three years with a vactor truck (see photo below).

Vactor Truck

Pictures of Phase 1, Completed in 2010-2011

Future Projects

City Engineering is aware of the poor condition of Sauk Creek within the greenway, especially the northern leg of the creek where excessive sedimentation is causing poorly defined channel flow, resulting in flooding and dead trees.  Unfortunately, we do not currently have money budgeted to repair the creek. Additionally, the permitting process that will be required to work in this section of the creek will be challenging.  Therefore, the creek repair project has been delayed.  We are tentatively putting it on the schedule for 2015.

Forest Maintenance

Si Widstrand, the retired Conservation Manager for the City Parks Department, volunteers regularly in the City’s forests.  Si works to maintain and enhance the forest by removing less valuable trees (boxelder, buckthorn) that may be damaging or inhibiting more valuable tree species (oak, hickory, walnut).  Si will be working in the Sauk Creek Greenway over the winter.  If you have questions about his work, or would like to assist, please contact Si Widstrand.

NOTE: In order to volunteer on City Property, you will need to complete and submit the Volunteer Application form.  If you plan on using power tools, you will need to also submit documentation proving you are qualified to use that equipment.  For instance, if you would like to use a chainsaw on City property, you will need to submit verification that you have completed a chainsaw safety class.  If you have questions, please contact Sally Swenson.

Volunteer Application Form (pdf)