Fitchburg Transportation and Transit Commission Monthly Meeting - October 9, 2025

The meeting began at 6:30 PM on October 9, 2025, and covered routine approvals, staff reports on multiple transportation projects, and a detailed discussion on Vision Zero planning via the Safe Streets for All grant. Commissioners also received updates from council and other commissions, and identified future agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve the agenda passed unanimously.
• Motion to approve the minutes of September 11, 2025 passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

Staff Report (Ross)

• Sciences Phase One: Rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) at Swamp Creek Park south of the Citgo is on track for reinstallation in about two weeks (concrete next week, post the week after).
• Phase Two (East Cheryl to West Clayton) is complete; in punch list phase, all paved and marked.
• Phase Three: Binder put down on October 9; surface asphalt and bike path paving scheduled for next week. Signal turn-on meeting in two weeks. Full traffic signal posts being installed over the next two weeks.
• West Clayton Road: Speed limit has been changed, but signs have not yet been updated; the Streets department is aware.
• Fitcherona Road TPP: Project approved by council, property acquisition has begun. A contract amendment with AECOM (approved October 14) will add sanitary sewer design to upsize pipe for the South Stoner Prairie neighborhood.
• County Highway MM Underpass: Design contract will go to council on October 14. The project will build about 500 feet of trail to the north, with buffered bike lanes in the interim. Staff noted a grant deadline prevents delaying the tunnel build; a new development is anticipated on adjacent land.
• Lacey Road Bike Lane: Between MM and Brassica in Terravesa, staff will mark a bike lane with no-parking signs and a bike symbol, and possibly a buffer line, removing parking on that block.
• ProMega Area: No-parking zones were lengthened for sight distance; an RRFB and raised crosswalk at a ProMega driveway are being considered.
• Pacer Ratings: 50% complete; two-year roadway safety ratings are being updated.
• Fish Hatchery Road / East Cheryl: Under construction; East Cheryl closure remains until Saturday (two days from the meeting).
• Greenway & Coho Roundabout: Temporary roundabout ("roundabout in a box") has reduced speeding slightly but not as much as hoped; no plans to make permanent but will remain.

Vision Zero / Safe Streets for All Grant Discussion

• Ross presented on the $300,000 federal grant awarded through the MPO (administered by City of Madison). The city has not yet signed an agreement and cannot spend money until that is executed.
• The grant funds a comprehensive safety action plan for Fitchburg. Commissioners discussed required elements: leadership commitment, goal setting, planning structure, public engagement, equity, and use of existing MPO regional data.
• Key points:
  • The steering committee should be larger than the commission, including staff, alders, police, and public.
  • Engage hard-to-reach neighborhoods through events (like National Night Out) and door-knocking rather than passive meetings.
  • Build on the MPO High Injury Network; focus on specific, actionable infrastructure recommendations (bump-outs, RRFBs, radar signs, etc.) with cost estimates and a prioritization matrix.
  • Plan should include a timeline and cost estimates to aid grant applications and public transparency.
  • Avoid duplicating the MPO regional plan; use it as a foundation.
  • Expected timeline: about one year for the plan.
• Commissioners directed staff to incorporate these ideas into the RFP; no formal vote was taken.

Other Updates

• Council Update (Logan): Council approved final plat for Terravesa Phase Five; Lacey Road will extend from western to eastern city boundary in 2026, connecting to Meadow Wood Drive. Also approved resolutions for property acquisition on Fitcherona Road, and both Greenfield and South Stoner Prairie neighborhood plans.
• Plan Commission Update (Elizabeth): Redevelopment at City Anna Hill Church and Bowman Plaza on Fish Hatchery Road includes shared parking and traffic redesign to a lighted intersection at O’Calla; a traffic impact analysis is required.
• Bike & Pedestrian Commission Update (Jeremy): Presentation by Sean Covell (Wisconsin Bike Fed) on safe routes to school – prioritizing based on crash data and equity, targeting four expanded community schools in the Leopold area. Also highlighted the Fitchburg Open Data Portal GIS tool for viewing infrastructure layers.
• Public Feedback on Transit: Several residents expressed excitement about expanded transit (routes 65 and 75), particularly paratransit and restoration of service on the Fitcherona/Nesbit corridor.

Future Agenda Items

• Commissioners suggested a future discussion on the connection between transit and housing affordability.
• Review parking restrictions on bus routes (e.g., Brassica in Terravesa) as bus service expands.
• Evaluate the city's alternate-side parking ordinance to better rely on street parking year-round for traffic calming.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and minutes approved unanimously.
• Staff directed to incorporate commission input into the Vision Zero comprehensive safety action plan RFP.
• Next meeting scheduled for November 13, 2025.