Cannonball Path Phase 6

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.

November 12, 2025: Following the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCR) denial for a new at-grade crossing of the Madison Newspapers railroad spur, the previously planned, off-street extension of the Cannonball Path will not be feasible and instead a new, off-street alternative to connect the Cannonball Path to the Wingra Creek Path is being developed that stays along Fish Hatchery Rd. This new alternative will include an off-street side path on the east-side of Fish Hatchery Rd from the existing Cannonball Path up to Martin St; a new signalized intersection at Martin St & Fish Hatchery Rd will facilitate a diagonal bike crossing for the path to continue off-street on the west-side of Fish Hatchery Rd up to Wingra Creek; and a new bike-pedestrian bridge will be constructed to cross the creek and connect to the existing Wingra Creek Path. 

View the latest Project Exhibit

Project Limits 

Information will be posted when available. 

Project Schedule

Project construction is currently scheduled for Summer-Fall 2026

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

• Nov. 24, 2025 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
• Nov. 24, 2025 Public Information Meeting Recording
• Dec. 4, 2019 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation

City Meetings, Process

More information will be posted when available.