City of Prescott Seeks Public Input on Bicycle and Pedestrian Study

The City of Prescott is asking residents for input on a nearly year long study covering safety for cyclists and pedestrians in the area.

The study was officially launched in November, and officials held their first public involvement meeting earlier this month. Officials are exploring possibile locations for safe trails and crossings for bicyclists and pedestrains near the area of U.S. Highway 10 and State Highways 29 and 35. The proposed study area covers the northern part of the city, south of the Town of Clifton.

According to the study’s website, the area where the three highways intersect are not currently connected by pedestrian or bicycle crossings. A lack of safe crossings in the area could pose a risk to residents. The study is meant to identify multiple trail and crossing locations that would be utilized the most often by residents. Those could include overpass and underpass crossings as well as at-grade crossings.

Officials are also hoping to encourage more non-motorized travel by connecting the northern part of the city to the schools and businesses further south.

City officials will host another operational planning meeting in May and a public involvement meeting in June. They expect to finalize a draft of the study by September. If they’re able to identify suitable crossing locations, they intend to submit an application for TAP design and construction funds from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

The City of Prescott isn’t the only municipality in the region planning its long term future. Dunn County officials are currently updating their 20 year comprehensive plan covering everything from transportation and housing goals to protecting natural resources. The West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition is also planning passenger rail service between Eau Claire and St. Paul.