Posted Wednesday, February 8, 2012 --- 10:00 a.m.

Press Release from the Office of the County Executive:

Fish Hatchery Road (County Highway D) will undergo a major $3.7 million improvement this Spring to increase safety and improve aesthetics on the major county route, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced today. The project is made possible through partnerships with the City and Town of Madison.

“It’s time this well-traveled road received some TLC,” said Parisi. “Road construction on heavily traveled routes can be inconvenient, but after these much needed improvements, Fish Hatchery Road will be safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.”

“The completion of the Fish Hatchery Road project will benefit the entire area,” said Madison Mayor Paul Soglin. “It’s a great example of the City and County working together to improve our infrastructure and accommodate our expanding modes of transportation.”

Construction on Fish Hatchery Road will span from Wingra Drive to Emil Street. Planned improvements include a new road surface, bike lanes, and pedestrian facilities. The roadway will be closed for five days while a railroad crossing is replaced. After that, the roadway will be open during construction, but reduced to one lane in each direction.

The federal government will fund nearly $1.3 million of the overall project costs, with the City of Madison contributing $1.4 million and the Town of Madison $163,000. The Dane County Board and the County Executive recently approved the county’s $957,000 share of the project.