Fitchburg Transportation and Transit Commission Monthly Meeting – June 11, 2026

The Fitchburg Transportation and Transit Commission (TTC) convened its monthly meeting on June 11, 2026, at 6:30 PM. All commissioners were present except Alder Gerhardt (excused). The meeting covered approval of minutes, a staff report on construction projects, a resolution on transportation funding, a review of transit statistics, and an extensive discussion of proposed Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) guidelines. Key updates from the City Council and the Bike and Pedestrian Committee were also presented.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (May 14, 2026): The minutes were approved unanimously. Commissioner Dina moved approval, seconded by an unnamed commissioner; no discussion.

Staff Report

• 2026 Street Resurfacing: Work starting in June on Research Park, Spect, Petersburg Circle, Merlin, Ryland, then Hillside Heights and Tower Hill neighborhoods. Contractor: Payne and Dolan.
• 2026 Sidewalk Replacement: Rebid after first round received no bids; Duluth Concrete awarded contract for $223,000.
• Peterona Road Reconstruction: Coordinating with Wisconsin DNR to switch from a soil nail wall to a soldier pile wall under the Military Ridge State Trail Bridge. Negotiating a contract with KL for construction inspection and wall design (~$400,000, expected to rise). Utilities paused due to real estate issues; major construction likely 2027.
• BRT (Bus Rapid Transit): Risk workshop completed with Federal Transit Administration; no major action items for Fitchburg except real estate work on the southern charger.
• MM Bike/Pedestrian Underpass: Preliminary plans expected from MSA in June.
• Road Paved Shoulders: Bid awarded to Payne and Dolan at $737,000 (under $750,000 estimate); work to start and finish this year.
• Traffic Impact Analyses (TIAs): Reviewed for No Oaks Ranch and Bowman Plaza; Jamestown Quarry permanent signals installation imminent; FitzRoad Road open for two weeks.
• Traffic Safety: Yield signs installed at Longwood and Kirkwall; planned at Newtone and Old Oak. Modifications to the Greenway and Coho roundabout using paint splitter islands and curb bump outs due to failed truck/bus turning tests. Yellow curb paint planned at Country Rose Court for pedestrian visibility. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at Sinnippi Creek Park reinstalled after supply chain delays.
• Comprehensive Safety Action Plan: RFP on track for approval in July.
• TIA Guidelines: Intern started work on guidelines, verifying traffic counts and inventories.

Discussion Items

Resolution R11326 – Support for Increased State Transportation Funding to Municipalities

• Staff Presentation: The resolution, supported by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities and city staff, urges the federal government to pass more transportation dollars through the state to municipalities. Statistics cited: Wisconsin local road quality fell from 6.6 to 6.2 on a 10-point scale over 13 years; share of roads rated excellent/very good dropped 9.5%; CPI increased 90.7% (2000–2025) while General Transportation Aids rose only 60.4%. Cities and villages maintain 20% of local roads but carry 40% of traffic.
• Commission Discussion: A commissioner questioned whether the state is not passing through existing federal funds or if state revenues are diverted. Staff clarified that some federal money is earmarked for municipalities but much is at state discretion; the resolution seeks to increase the pass-through share. Another commissioner noted that the state has been prioritizing tax cuts over traditional revenue distribution. The resolution does not explicitly call for reducing state highway spending, though that is implied. The motion to recommend approval passed unanimously.

Transit Statistics (Quarterly Report)

• Staff Report: Metro Transit provides quarterly data for Fitchburg’s PTAP grant. 2025 full-year and 2026 Q1 numbers were displayed. Operating expenses for Q1 2026 (paratransit) were $601,000 – a new reporting requirement. Revenue trips in Q1 2026 were similar to Q1 2025; paratransit trips tripled from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026, though down from Q2 and Q3 2025. Revenue miles were slightly down in Q1 2026, possibly due to the Route D service change.
• Commission Feedback: Several commissioners found the data too aggregated to evaluate route effectiveness or stop usage. They requested stop-level and route-level boardings from Metro’s Automatic Passenger Counter (APC) system on a monthly basis, within 30 days of month-end. Staff agreed to request this data from Metro for future analysis. The commission also noted the need for better data to evaluate Route D and other service decisions. Paratransit usage spike was questioned; possible explanations include weather or eligibility changes. No formal action taken.

Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) Guidelines – Proposed Update

• Staff Presentation: The new TIA guidelines aim to standardize requirements for new developments, replacing ad‑hoc negotiations. The guidelines will be accompanied by ordinance changes requiring TIAs for all new developments. Four study levels based on peak-hour trips (site review: ≤50; small: 50–99; medium: 100–499; large: ≥500). Levels dictate analysis area, horizon year, bike/pedestrian level of service (BLOS/PLOS) evaluations, and TDM measures. Motor vehicle LOS remains standard. Bike and pedestrian LOS scoring (adapted from Middleton/ Charleston) consider crossing distances, signal timing, turning conflicts, corner radii, crosswalk visibility, and physical space for bikes. Developers can receive trip-generation credits for good street design, sidewalks, bike paths, and transit amenities. Traffic calming is required in existing neighborhoods if new development pushes local streets above 800 vehicles per day or collectors above 2,000 vehicles per day. Proposed streets also have traffic calming requirements. The guidelines include examples (e.g., Inspiration at Swan Creek for site review, Yarmouth Crossing for small, Pick ‘n Save size for medium, Jamestown Quarry for large).
• Commission Discussion: Questions focused on when TIAs are required (land division and building permit stages), grandfathering of existing TIAs (e.g., 2012 Uptown TIA), and coordination with older neighborhood plans. Commissioners noted the guidelines would provide clarity for developers, potentially reducing project delays and associated costs. The preference for horizontal traffic calming (curb bump outs, traffic circles) over vertical (speed bumps) was supported due to fewer resident complaints. Commissioners praised inclusion of bike/ped LOS but noted current city intersections score poorly; staff acknowledged the need to adjust likely level-of-service targets in the future. The guidelines are under review by Public Works and Planning; final ordinance and guidelines expected at the July 9, 2026 meeting.

Other Reports

City Council Update (from Alder Boucher)

• Land Use Map Change: Approved June 9 for properties off Ski Lane from Business General to Medium High Density Residential for a cottage court-style development near a bus line.
• Future Land Use Map at Faye Glen and Lacey referred back to Plan Commission; unit count changes but remains medium high density.
• Police Service Modifications: Effective last week, police will only respond to crashes involving road blockage, disabling damage, injury, or suspected impairment. Minor property thefts from vehicles also won't get a response unless vehicle stolen, plates stolen, or gun stolen. No changes to speed enforcement yet; future changes possible.
• TID 17 Amendment: Boundaries expanded to include more of Jamestown Quarry development; language clarified that multi-use paths are TID eligible.

Plan Commission (from Commissioner)

• No significant transportation network impacts expected from upcoming plats.

Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Update

• E‑Moto/E‑Bike Regulations: Committee working with FACTV on an educational video. An ordinance to ban sidewalk biking where buildings abut the sidewalk is progressing; will go to Council after committee approval. The committee emphasized that most residents don't know sidewalk biking is illegal; actual enforcement will rely on signage and striping (e.g., “walk bike” zones) rather than punitive measures.
• Bicycle-Friendly Community: Fitchburg’s four‑year award expires next summer; application renewal underway. Bike Fitchburg now has 36 Bicycle-Friendly Businesses (BFBs) with all current, ranking effectively first in the U.S. among communities with all BFBs in good standing. Five new BFBs recently awarded silver, including Pro Omega; two silver renewals; two bronze upgraded to silver. New standard will be silver or higher.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved unanimously.
• Resolution R11326 (support for increased state transportation funding to municipalities) recommended for approval unanimously.
• TIA Guidelines discussed extensively; final guidelines and ordinance expected at July 9 meeting.
• Transit data request: Commission intends to request monthly stop-level and route-level boardings from Metro Transit for future analysis.
• Adjournment: Motion to adjourn passed unanimously; meeting concluded. Next regular meeting: July 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM.