Joint Projects with Municipalities
The following is Dane County's general policy for joint improvement projects on County trunk highways. It
should be noted there will be no joint projects without prior County approval and funds budgeted by
both units. Approval must be obtained for design and again for construction since separate budgets
are involved. As part of the project review process, the County requests a copy of the municipality’s
up-to-date land use and transportation plans (if available). The County is also interested in the
aspects of the municipality’s plans (if available) that support bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and
Traffic Demand Management (TDM) efforts to reduce automobile trips and congestion.
Engineering
The County will share one-half (1/2) the engineering costs, design and construction,
of all items in which the County participates. The maximum percentage for design and construction
engineering costs as a percentage of actual total construction costs shall be 25% for road projects,
30% for bridge projects, and 35% for intersection/signal projects. Plans shall be approved by the
County prior to letting and to any agreement for construction being signed.
Right-of-way
The County shall obtain, gain ownership, and assume all costs associated with
roadway right-of-way only for projects where multi-jurisdictional control of adjoining property
exists. Any further right-of-way required for municipal amenities such as turn lanes into commercial
areas or sideroads, sidewalks, bicycle paths, additional lanes, or frontage roads, shall be acquired
by the municipality. The municipality shall acquire the needed right-of-way for the project if the
municipality intends, through agreement with the County, to assume maintenance control of the County
trunk after the improvement is completed.
Curb & Gutter
The County will share in the costs of curb and gutter construction. Cost
participation is as follows:
- The County will share in one-half (1/2) of the costs of curb and gutter construction required
along the median areas in multi-lane facilities.
- The County will share in one-half (1/2) of the costs of curb and gutter construction involved
in a safety improvement project where the sole purpose of the curb and gutter is to assure proper
channelizing of traffic.
- The County will share in one-half (1/2) of the costs for isolated curb and gutter where the
construction of the curb and gutter is exclusively for purposes of eliminating right-of-way purchases.
- Where the Municipality has a curb and gutter assessment policy, the County will share in one-half (1/2)
of the costs of the outside curb and gutter for those sections of curb and gutter that are not directly
assessable to the adjacent property owner. The County will share in one-quarter (1/4) of the costs
of outside curb and gutter for those sections of curb and gutter that are directly assessable to the
property owner. The amount assessed to the property owner shall be credited equally to the local
share provided by the County and Municipality.
- The County will not share in the costs of outside curb and gutter where the municipality does
not have curb and gutter assessment policy.
- The Municipality shall be responsible for the future costs of the maintenance and repair of
the curb and gutter.
Sidewalk
- Where the Municipality has a sidewalk assessment policy, the County will share in one-half
(1/2) of the costs of the sidewalk construction where those sections of sidewalk are not directly
assessable to the adjacent property owner. The County will share in 1/4 of the cost of sidewalk
for those sections of sidewalk that are directly assessable to the property owner. The amount
assessed to the property owner shall be credited equally to the local share provided by the County
and the Municipality.
- The County will not share in the costs of sidewalk where the municipality does not have a
sidewalk assessment.
- The Municipality shall be responsible for the future costs of the maintenance and repair of
the sidewalk.
Driveway Aprons
The County will not share in the costs of concrete driveway apron construction.
Bicycle Paths
The County will share in one-half (1/2) of the costs of a widened roadway section
that is available for bicycle use. "Off-road" bicycle paths may be funded by improvement project funds.
Any cost sharing for “Off-road” bicycle paths, including overhead or tunnel road crossing within the
right-of-way, will be determined on an individual basis. The Municipality shall be responsible for the
future costs of maintenance and repair of the bicycle paths.
Storm Sewers
The County will share in one-half (1/2) the costs of all storm sewer and related
structures associated with the project improvement. The County may share in the costs of the drainage
structures or pipes associated with major municipal storm trunk sewer systems that pass through the project.
The municipality may choose to relocate or enlarge their sewer system at the time the project is undertaken.
Any cost sharing of this type will be determined on an individual basis.
Sanitary Sewers and Water Mains
The County will not share in the costs of adjusting, relocating,
repairing, placing, or replacing any sanitary sewer or water main, or appurtenances within or adjacent
to the improvement project.
Bridges
The County will share in one-half (1/2) the costs of any bridge widening or construction
involved in the project.
Road Lighting
The County will not share in roadway lighting costs.
Traffic Lights and Signing
The County will assume the costs of highway signing, with the exception
of parking or restrictive parking signs, for which the County will not share costs. The County will
assume one-half (1/2) of all costs involved in traffic light installations, and will enter into contracts
for their maintenance as long as signals are warranted per accepted engineering standards.
Roadway Pavement, Grading and Base
The County will share in one-half (1/2) the costs associated
with the pavement, grading and base.
Landscaping
The County will share in one-half (1/2) the costs of general landscaping
(seeding and sodding) within the right of way. Sodding costs assumed by the County will be limited to
areas where it is intended to control erosion, or it is the only viable alternative for right-of-way
restoration (areas where seed mulch won't suffice). Major plantings as requested by the municipality
shall be at their expense.
Pavement Marking
The County will share in one-half (1/2) the costs of all original thermoplastic
center line or lane markings. The County shall share in one-half (1/2) the costs of all original
thermoplastic pedestrian markings. The Municipality shall be responsible for the future costs of
maintenance and repair of the pedestrian markings.
Jurisdictional Transfers
The County shall consider a jurisdictional transfer where a roadway
segment is improved to urban standards entirely within one municipality or where multi-jurisdictions can
agree to maintain the segment. The County may determine not to participate in the project if a
jurisdictional transfer cannot be achieved.
Prior to actual commencement of construction, and after the project funds have been appropriated, formal
contracts will be entered into by the County and municipality which will note all cost sharing items
and the financial commitments of both parties for the joint improvement projects.
This revised policy will take effect with the adoption of the 2000 budget and beyond. Projects budgeted
prior (year 2000 budget) to adoption of the revised policy will not be altered.
This policy was adopted by the Dane County Transportation Committee at its meeting on May 3, 1999.