Gateway Feature

Counties Plan $4M Investment in WI River Bridge
Sauk City, October 13 -- Dane County Executive Joe Parisi today joined Sauk County officials, along with representatives from the state and local entities to announce their plans to invest $4 million for planning and preparation of construction to link the Great Sauk State Trail with the Walking Iron Trail. This connection would provide a recreational, scenic gateway over the Wisconsin River and make it possible to one day hop on a bicycle in Dane County and pedal all the way to Devils Lake State Park.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Sauk County on this effort to connect the Great Sauk State Trail with the Walking Iron Trail,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “This is our latest investment in eco-tourism and the kind of project that makes Dane County a popular destination. When complete, this connection will draw people of all ages outdoors to enjoy the scenic beauty of south central Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River.”
L County Executive Parisi’s budget includes $2 million for Dane County’s share of the project’s preparation and planning work. This funding matches the dollars put forward by Sauk County in its county budget for the coming year.
“Outdoor recreation, quality of life, and proximity to metropolitan areas have been shown to be key factors in attracting new residents, visitors, and employees to small communities. As our communities look beyond the pandemic and to the future again, we thank our county partners for their strong commitment to making this vision a reality,” said Christopher Long, Board Chairperson of Gateway to The Driftless Inc., a Northwest Dane County not-for-profit economic development initiative of the villages of Cross Plains, Black Earth, Mazomanie, and other public and private partners.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Sauk County on this effort to connect the Great Sauk State Trail with the Walking Iron Trail,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “This is our latest investment in eco-tourism and the kind of project that makes Dane County a popular destination. When complete, this connection will draw people of all ages outdoors to enjoy the scenic beauty of south central Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River.”
L County Executive Parisi’s budget includes $2 million for Dane County’s share of the project’s preparation and planning work. This funding matches the dollars put forward by Sauk County in its county budget for the coming year.
“Outdoor recreation, quality of life, and proximity to metropolitan areas have been shown to be key factors in attracting new residents, visitors, and employees to small communities. As our communities look beyond the pandemic and to the future again, we thank our county partners for their strong commitment to making this vision a reality,” said Christopher Long, Board Chairperson of Gateway to The Driftless Inc., a Northwest Dane County not-for-profit economic development initiative of the villages of Cross Plains, Black Earth, Mazomanie, and other public and private partners.