Badger Rusk Shared-Use Path
October 28, 2025 Update
The Contractor has now completed Stage 2A of the project including utility replacements and street reconstruction on the north side of W. Badger Rd (within street) and on the east side of N. Rusk Ave. The Contractor is now moving on to Stage 2B, which is the final stage of the project, which includes installation of the shared-use path along the north side of W. Badger Rd within the project limits and final surface layer paving of W. Badger Rd and N. Rusk Ave. This stage is expected to last approximately 3 weeks. During this stage, a temporary pedestrian detour will set up within the westbound lane of W. Badger Rd while the new path is constructed. Traffic will continue to be reduced to one-way (eastbound) on W. Badger Rd and one-way (northbound) on N. Rusk Ave within the project limits. Metro Transit bus service will continue to run within the project limits.
The eastern half of the raised path crossing and remaining sidewalk paving at the intersection of W. Badger Rd and N. Rusk Ave is scheduled to be completed by end of week. The Contractor has also begun removing the existing sidewalk along W. Badger Rd and grading for the new path. Asphalt paving of the new path and surface street paving is scheduled to be completed next week Friday, November 7. After final paving is completed, the Contractor will install pavement markings and finalize restoration of the site. Once completed, W. Badger Rd and N. Rusk Ave will then be fully reopened to traffic and the shared-use path will be opened for pedestrian use.
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Project Information
Project Overview
The Badger Rusk Shared-Use Path project will construct an approximately 0.4-mile-long, shared-use path that will connect into existing paths on W. Badger Rd and N. Rusk Ave. The proposed grade separated shared-use path will be 10-ft wide and follow along the north side of W. Badger Rd (from existing pedestrian overpass bridge to N. Rusk Ave) and along the west side of N. Rusk Ave (from W. Badger Rd to Nygard St). Both streets will be partially reconstructed to fit the path within existing City Right-of-Way. N. Rusk Ave will be a rural to urban reconstruction and will include new sidewalk along the east side of the street. W. Badger Rd will be partially reconstructed to realign the curb along the north side of the street to accommodate the new shared-use path. All existing car travel lane configurations will remain, but shifted slightly to accommodate the off-street path and existing on-street bike lanes will be removed. Bike and pedestrian crossing improvements will be included throughout the project limits, and additional path lighting will also be included along the new path. Underground City utilities will be replaced as needed to accommodate the new path construction.
Project Limits
W. Badger Rd from Pedestrian overpass to N. Rusk Ave
N. Rusk Ave from W. Badger Rd to Nygard St.
Project Schedule
Design: Summer/Fall/Winter 2024, Spring 2025
Start of Construction: August 2025 (tentative)
End of Construction – May 2026 (tentative)
Public Involvement
There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates, times and locations are indicated below:
Mailings
Board of Public Works: November 20, 2024 Notice of Meeting, Fact and Details Sheet, Schedule of Assessments
Common Council: December 10, 2024 Notice of Meeting, Schedule of Assessments
Public Information Meetings
May 13, 2024 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
May 13, 2024 Public Information Meeting Recording
City Process, Meetings
Common Council TBD
Project Updates
October 28, 2025 Update
The Contractor has now completed Stage 2A of the project including utility replacements and street reconstruction on the north side of W. Badger Rd (within street) and on the east side of N. Rusk Ave. The Contractor is now moving on to Stage 2B, which is the final stage of the project, which includes installation of the shared-use path along the north side of W. Badger Rd within the project limits and final surface layer paving of W. Badger Rd and N. Rusk Ave. This stage is expected to last approximately 3 weeks. During this stage, a temporary pedestrian detour will set up within the westbound lane of W. Badger Rd while the new path is constructed. Traffic will continue to be reduced to one-way (eastbound) on W. Badger Rd and one-way (northbound) on N. Rusk Ave within the project limits. Metro Transit bus service will continue to run within the project limits.
The eastern half of the raised path crossing and remaining sidewalk paving at the intersection of W. Badger Rd and N. Rusk Ave is scheduled to be completed by end of week. The Contractor has also begun removing the existing sidewalk along W. Badger Rd and grading for the new path. Asphalt paving of the new path and surface street paving is scheduled to be completed next week Friday, November 7. After final paving is completed, the Contractor will install pavement markings and finalize restoration of the site. Once completed, W. Badger Rd and N. Rusk Ave will then be fully reopened to traffic and the shared-use path will be opened for pedestrian use.
September 22, 2025 Update
The contractor has now completed Stage 1 of the project including utility
replacements, street reconstruction, and shared-use path work on the south side of W. Badger Rd and on the west side of N. Rusk Ave. Stage 2A
construction will begin the week of September 22 and is expected to last
approximately 7 weeks. The contractor will be updating the project traffic control on Monday, September 22 for this next stage. Traffic will continue to be reduced to one-way (eastbound) on W. Badger Rd and one-way (northbound) on N. Rusk Ave within the project limits. Metro Transit bus service will continue to run within the project limits.
During Stage 2A, the contractor will replace utilities and reconstruct the street along the north side of W. Badger Rd (within the street) and along the east side of N. Rusk Ave. The general sequence of construction activities for this stage is as follows: Pavement removal, utility excavations, storm sewer installation, street excavation and base course installation, concrete curb and sidewalk installation, lighting installation, earthwork restoration, final street grading, asphalt paving.
Following completion of this stage, the contractor will begin the final stage, Stage 2B, which includes installation of the shared-use path along the north side of W. Badger Rd within the project limits.
August 18, 2025 Update
The City of Madison is planning to complete street and utility work, including a new shared-use path, on W. Badger Rd and N. Rusk Ave. Construction is scheduled to begin the week of August 18, 2025 and completed by mid-May, 2026, after winter shutdown. S&L Underground, Inc. was awarded the project contract.
A Project Fact & Details Sheet is available below; please review this important project information.
La ciudad de Madison planea completar el trabajo de obras y servicios públicos en las calles, incluido un nuevo camino de uso compartido, en W. Badger Rd y N. Rusk Ave. La construcción está programada para comenzar la semana del 18 de agosto del 2025 y completarse a mediados de mayo del 2026, después del cierre de invierno. S&L Underground, Inc. Fue adjudicado con el contrato del proyecto.
La hoja de datos y detalles del proyecto está disponible a continuación; Revise esta importante información del proyecto.
Start of Construction Fact and Details Sheets - English
Hojas informativas y detalladas del inicio de la construcción (español)
May 14, 2024 Update
May 13, 2024 Public Information Meeting Materials are now available:
May 13, 2024 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
May 13, 2024 Public Information Meeting Recording
April 30, 2024 Update
A public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., May 13, 2024, via Zoom. Registration is required prior.
May 13, 2024 Public Information Meeting Registration
May 13, 2024 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
Details on the project design, construction schedule, residential impacts, and special assessments will be discussed. The presentation will be posted on this website for anyone unable to attend.