KL Engineering is working with Jefferson County to design the second phase of the overall corridor, which will eventually connect Watertown to Oconomowoc, WI.
The 5-mile trail is within the former Interurban Rail Line, which now serves as a major We Energies / ATC utility corridor and includes ATC H-poles with 14-foot clear widths spanning the entire project area. The partnership with We Energies involves tremendous coordination with the property owners and the utility to review the drainage structures and many existing agricultural crossings within the corridor.
Steep running grades and side slopes along the corridor have led to extensive coordination to design an alignment that avoids conflicts with utilities, while also maintaining WisDOT and ADA standards. The majority of the wetlands surrounding the corridor have been avoided by taking the alignment off-center line. WisDOT TAP and DNR stewardship grants provided a large portion of the construction funds for the project.
