Engineering

Latest Update

10/2/2023 Update:

City staff are continuing to work on the Cannonball Path:  Phase 6 project, including real estate acquisition and railroad coordination necessary to constructe the off-street path from Fish Hatchery Rd. to the Wingra Creek Path.  Anticipated construction for this project is Summer 2024.

Project Overview

This project is a shared-use (bicycle and pedestrian) path that extends the existing Cannonball Path at Fish Hatchery Road to the Wingra Creek Path.

This is the final piece of the overall four-mile Cannonball Path linking areas of Fitchburg and Arbor Hills neighborhood with downtown Madison. The overall Cannonball Path project is a joint effort between Madison and Fitchburg, with land acquisition partially funded by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.  Madison is the lead agency for the project from the west line of the Arbor Hills neighborhood to its northern terminus.

The Cannonball Path connects neighborhoods with parks, schools, major conservancy areas as well as retail, commercial and employment centers. It also connects to the Capital City Trail, Southwest Path, Military Ridge Trail and Badger State Trail, making it a key component of the regional network of paths for recreation as well as transportation.

In 2020, the City plans to apply for grant funds to help fund the future construction of this path. The City is reviewing possible route alternatives to make the connection between the current end of the path at Fish Hatchery Rd. to the Wingra Creek Path.

Two alternatives have been considered for how to extend the Cannonball Path. One alternative is to remove the on-street bike lane and sidewalk on one side of Fish Hatchery Rd. in order to install a multi-use path on that side of the street. This path would be at the same grade as the existing sidewalk. The second alternative is to continue working on a route parallel to the railroad tracks and then head north through Bowman Park to connect to Plaenert Drive. These alternatives are depicted in the following map: Alternatives Map

After receiving input at the public informational meeting (see below) and through additional correspondence, the current preferred alternative is the off-street route, which would extend along the railroad tracks and then north through Bowman Park.

Project Limits 

Information will be posted when available. 

Project Schedule

Project construction is currently scheduled for Summer 2024

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 and times are indicated below:

Public Information Meetings

A public information meeting was held Dec. 4, 2019 at Wright Middle School, Library Media Center, 1717, Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI. 

Dec. 4, 2019 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation

City Meetings, Process

More information will be posted when available.