Trail Expansion – Feasibility Study Update Spring 2024

June 24, 2024

Hooray!  The Mercer Bike trail expansion Feasibility study contract was approved unanimously by the Town of Mercer on February 8th, 2024.

Background:

  • ICORE initiated the Mercer bike trail expansion committee in June of 2022. This committee investigated expanding the current bike trail an additional 9 miles from Carow Park to WinMan Trails creating a 23-mile loop through Mercer, adding to the current 52 miles of bike trail already established in Iron and Vilas counties called the “Heart of Vilas”  trail system which has been designated as a National Recreational Trail.
  • The engineering firm Becher-Hoppe was selected to support the project study and provide cost estimates to be used for grant applications.
  • The Mercer Town Board passed a resolution of support to sponsor a bike trail expansion and feasibility study on March 2nd, 2023.
  • A DOT TAP grant was applied for in March of 2023 using the Becher-Hoppe estimate of $140,000 to outline the work required to complete the study.
  • Mercer was awarded the Tap grant in June of 2023. The DOT capped the project spending at $150,000 of which they would pay 80% and the sponsor was accountable for 20%.
  • The Mercer Chamber of Commerce demonstrated their support for the project by pledging to contribute $10,000 towards the Planning Feasibility Study.
  • The SMA (State Municipal Agreement) was signed in July of 2023, and the Federal funding (FWHA) was approved in August of 2023.
  • Mike Lambert, in his role as Parks Board liaison, completed the DOT sponsor training in September of 2023.
  • Becher Hoppe was selected for the work (based on qualifications per the DOT requirements) and then submitted their first draft contract proposal to the DOT in November of 2023. The contract terms have been reviewed, negotiated, and revised for a final contract submitted to the town on January 26th.
  • The contract was reviewed and approved by the ICORE bike trail core team, the Mercer Parks Board, and the town’s attorney prior to the town meeting.

Planning and Feasibility Study contract:

  • The contract to complete the Mercer Bike Trail Planning and Feasibility Study is a 3-party contract for the amount not to exceed $115,531.52.
  • The contract includes all the standard provisions and deliverables as required by the DOT.
  • The scope of services includes real estate analysis, Safe Routes to School, jurisdictional reports, public involvement, environmental reporting, utility reporting, funding analysis, surveys, trail plans, and structure plans.
  • The final Design Report with Plan Phases to be delivered by December 31, 2024.
  • The town of Mercer financial responsibility is not to exceed $23,106.30, minus the $10,000 commitment from the Chamber of Commerce for a total not to exceed of $13,106.30.

Project Milestones:

  • Kick-off Meeting: March 2024
  • Preliminary Draft Plan: April 2024
  • Complete Public Outreach: May 2024
  • Environmental/County/State/Property owner work: Sept 2024
  • Present findings to Stake holders for comment: Oct 2024
  • Design Report with Plan Phases: Dec 2024