Cannonball Path Phase 6
August 11, 2026 Update
The City of Madison is planning a 2026 construction project for the extension of the Cannonball Path along Fish Hatchery Rd to connect to the Wingra Creek Path. Work is scheduled to begin during the week of August 17, 2026, a majority of the work will be completed by Fall, 2026, with all of the work completed by May 2027. The City of Madison has awarded the contract for this work to Speedway Sand & Gravel, Inc.
Starting Monday, August 17th, there will be lane closures on Fish Hatchery Rd for the Cannonball Path extension project. This project involves constructing a shared-use (bicycle and pedestrian) path that extends the existing Cannonball Path at Fish Hatchery Rd to the Wingra Creek Path.
This is the final piece of the overall four-mile Cannonball Path linking areas of Fitchburg and Arbor Hills neighborhood with downtown Madison. The project work also includes sanitary sewer installation across Fish Hatchery Rd as well as a new traffic signal at the Carver St and Fish Hatchery Rd intersection. Bridge work will also be conducted over the Wingra Creek to better the shared-use path crossing and connection with the Wingra Creek Path.
Both northbound and southbound traffic on Fish Hatchery Rd will be maintained throughout the project but will be reduced to one lane in each direction for the majority of the time. Metro Transit bus stops within the project limits will remain open during the project.
See Project Schedule section for additional details.
View past project updates »Project Details
Project Information
Project Overview
This project is a shared-use (bicycle and pedestrian) path that extends the existing Cannonball Path at Fish Hatchery Road to the Wingra Creek Path.
This is the final piece of the overall four-mile Cannonball Path linking areas of Fitchburg and Arbor Hills neighborhood with downtown Madison. The overall Cannonball Path project is a joint effort between Madison and Fitchburg, with land acquisition partially funded by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Madison is the lead agency for the project from the west line of the Arbor Hills neighborhood to its northern terminus.
The Cannonball Path connects neighborhoods with parks, schools, major conservancy areas as well as retail, commercial and employment centers. It also connects to the Capital City Trail, Southwest Path, Military Ridge Trail and Badger State Trail, making it a key component of the regional network of paths for recreation as well as transportation.
In 2020, the City plans to apply for grant funds to help fund the future construction of this path. The City is reviewing possible route alternatives to make the connection between the current end of the path at Fish Hatchery Rd. to the Wingra Creek Path.
Two alternatives have been considered for how to extend the Cannonball Path. One alternative is to remove the on-street bike lane and sidewalk on one side of Fish Hatchery Rd. in order to install a multi-use path on that side of the street. This path would be at the same grade as the existing sidewalk. The second alternative is to continue working on a route parallel to the railroad tracks and then head north through Bowman Park to connect to Plaenert Drive. These alternatives are depicted in the following map: Alternatives Map
After receiving input at the public informational meeting (see below) and through additional correspondence, the current preferred alternative is the off-street route, which would extend along the railroad tracks and then north through Bowman Park.
November 12, 2025: Following the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCR) denial for a new at-grade crossing of the Madison Newspapers railroad spur, the previously planned, off-street extension of the Cannonball Path will not be feasible and instead a new, off-street alternative to connect the Cannonball Path to the Wingra Creek Path is being developed that stays along Fish Hatchery Rd. This new alternative will include an off-street side path on the west-side of Fish Hatchery Rd from the existing Cannonball Path up to Martin St; a new signalized intersection at Martin St & Fish Hatchery Rd will facilitate a diagonal bike crossing for the path to continue off-street on the east-side of Fish Hatchery Rd up to Wingra Creek; and a new bike-pedestrian bridge will be constructed to cross the creek and connect to the existing Wingra Creek Path.
View the latest Project Exhibit
Project Limits
Information will be posted when available.
Project Schedule
Project construction is currently scheduled for Summer-Fall 2026
Phase 1 : ~ 1 week to complete
Work to be completed:
- Island removal at railroad
Traffic Routes:
- One inbound (northbound, outside) lane on Fish Hatchery Road shall be open. Maintain bike lane.
- One outbound (southbound, outside) lane on Fish Hatchery Road shall be open. Maintain bike lane.
Metro:
- All bus stops remain open at their current location
Phase 2: ~ 1 week to complete
Work to be completed:
- Sanitary sewer installation on eastern side of Fish Hatchery Road
- Pavement, curb & gutter, electrical work, and restoration on the eastern side of Fish Hatchery Rd.
Traffic Routes:
- Open travel lanes (2) shifted to southbound side of Fish Hatchery Road
- One inbound (northbound) lane on Fish hatchery Road shall be open
- One outbound (southbound) lane on Fish Hatchery Road shall be open
- Flexible posts shall be used during this phase
- Bikes may use full lane
Metro:
- Metro buses using stop #0405 will stop in-lane on Fish Hatchery Rd and bus riders will disembark into the area of the road closed to traffic. Bus riders can then move to the crosswalk to get to either side of the street. All other bus stops remain open at their current location.
Phase 3: ~ 10 weeks to complete
Work to be completed:
- Sanitary sewer installation on western side of Fish Hatchery Rd
- Storm sewer installation on western side of Fish Hatchery Rd
- MG&E utility pole relocations on western side of Fish Hatchery Rd
- Pavement, curb & gutter, driveway aprons, sidewalk/ramps, electrical, and restoration on western side of Fish Hatchery Rd
Traffic Routes:
- Open travel lanes (2) shifted to northbound side of Fish Hatchery Rd
- One inbound (northbound) lane on Fish hatchery Road shall be open
- One outbound (southbound) lane on Fish Hatchery Road shall be open
- Flexible posts shall be used during this phase
- Bikes may use full lane
Metro:
- Metro buses using stops #F060 and #0456 will stop in-lane on Fish Hatchery Rd and bus riders will disembark into the area of the road closed to traffic. Bus riders can then move to the crosswalk to get to either side of the street. All other bus stops remain open at their current location.
Phase 4: ~ 2 weeks to complete
Work to be completed:
- Islands and median work
- Electrical work
Traffic Routes:
- One inbound (northbound, outside) lane on Fish Hatchery Road shall be open. Maintain bike lane.
- One outbound (southbound, outside) lane on Fish Hatchery Road shall be open. Maintain bike lane.
Metro:
- All bus stops remain open at their current location
Phase 5: ~ 2 weeks to complete
Work to be completed:
- Pavement, curb & gutter, sidewalk/ramps, electrical, and restoration on eastern side of Fish Hatchery Rd (north of Carver St)
Traffic Routes:
- One inbound (northbound, outside) lane on Fish Hatchery Road shall be open.
- Bikes may use full lane
- Temporary pedestrian detour shall take outside inbound (northbound) lane.
Metro:
- Metro buses using stop #0391 will stop in-lane on Fish Hatchery Rd and bus riders will disembark into the area of the road closed to traffic. Bus riders can then move to the crosswalk to get to either side of the street. All other bus stops remain open at their current location.
Phase 6: Concurrent with all phases
Work to be completed:
- Bike-pedestrian bridge construction across Wingra Creek
- Sidewalk, curb, pavement, electrical, and restoration work on eastern side of Fish Hatchery Rd between Plaenert Dr and W Wingra Dr.
Traffic Routes:
- Outer northbound lane on Fish Hatchery Rd can be closed during off-peak hours only. Two northbound lanes must be open during peak hours (7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.; 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
- Bikes may use full lane
- Temporary pedestrian detour to Plaenert Drive to West Wingra Drive
Metro:
- Metro buses using stop #0845 will stop in-lane on Fish Hatchery Rd and bus riders will disembark into the area of the road closed to traffic. Bus riders can then can move to the crosswalk to get to either side of the street. All other bus stops remain open at their current location.
Public Involvement
There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates and times are indicated below:
Public Information Meetings
- Nov. 24, 2025 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
- Nov. 24, 2025 Public Information Meeting Recording
- Dec. 4, 2019 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
City Meetings, Process
More information will be posted when available.
Project Updates
August 11, 2026 Update
The City of Madison is planning a 2026 construction project for the extension of the Cannonball Path along Fish Hatchery Rd to connect to the Wingra Creek Path. Work is scheduled to begin during the week of August 17, 2026, a majority of the work will be completed by Fall, 2026, with all of the work completed by May 2027. The City of Madison has awarded the contract for this work to Speedway Sand & Gravel, Inc.
Starting Monday, August 17th, there will be lane closures on Fish Hatchery Rd for the Cannonball Path extension project. This project involves constructing a shared-use (bicycle and pedestrian) path that extends the existing Cannonball Path at Fish Hatchery Rd to the Wingra Creek Path.
This is the final piece of the overall four-mile Cannonball Path linking areas of Fitchburg and Arbor Hills neighborhood with downtown Madison. The project work also includes sanitary sewer installation across Fish Hatchery Rd as well as a new traffic signal at the Carver St and Fish Hatchery Rd intersection. Bridge work will also be conducted over the Wingra Creek to better the shared-use path crossing and connection with the Wingra Creek Path.
Both northbound and southbound traffic on Fish Hatchery Rd will be maintained throughout the project but will be reduced to one lane in each direction for the majority of the time. Metro Transit bus stops within the project limits will remain open during the project.
See Project Schedule section for additional details.
August 10, 2026 Update
The City of Madison is planning a 2026 construction project for the extension of the Cannonball Path along Fish Hatchery Rd to connect to the Wingra Creek Path. Work is scheduled to begin during the week of August 17, 2026, a majority of the work will be completed by Fall, 2026, with all of the work completed by May 2027. The City of Madison has awarded the contract for this work to Speedway Sand & Gravel, Inc.
May 27, 2026 Update
The Cannonball Path: Phase 6 project is moving forward with construction anticipated to start in Summer 2026 with completion in Fall 2026, with the potential for some work to spillover into Spring 2027, including the setting of the new bike-pedestrian bridge over Wingra Creek. This project page will be updated with construction progress updates once work is scheduled to begin.
January 20, 2026 Update
Following approval at the Transportation Commission on January 7, 2026, the Cannonball Path: Phase 6 project will be presented to the Board of Public Works on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Meeting info and registration will be posted on the City Committee Meeting Website closer to the meeting date. An updated exhibit for the proposed project can be found below.
Link to Cannonball Path Phase 6 overview exhibit
December 26, 2025 Update
Following the Public Information Meeting on November 24, 2025, the Cannonball Path extension project to connect the Cannonball Path to the Wingra Creek Path will go to the Transportation Commission on Wednesday, January 7, 2025. Meeting info and registration will be posted on the City Committee Meeting Website closer to the meeting date.
Following additional City review, the proposed path alignment for the Cannonball Path has changed slightly from what was presented at the Public Information meeting in November. The new proposed alignment for the Cannonball Path includes an off-street side path on the west-side of Fish Hatchery Rd from the existing Cannonball Path up to Carver St; a new signalized intersection at Carver St & Fish Hatchery Rd will facilitate a diagonal bike crossing for the path to continue off-street on the east-side of Fish Hatchery Rd up to Wingra Creek; and a new bike-pedestrian bridge will be constructed to cross the creek and connect to the existing Wingra Creek Path. City staff has determined that Carver St is a preferred location for the new signal (previously proposed to be at Martin St) as the driveways line up better at Carver St to work with a signalized intersection, there are existing left-turn bays, it is farther away from the railroad track, and it better serves the surrounding neighborhood. Below is a link to the updated, proposed Cannonball Path extension project.
Link to Cannonball Path overview exhibit.
November 25, 2025 Update
Thank you to everyone who attended the Nov. 24, 2025 Public Information Meeting. The meeting materials are now available:
November 12, 2025 Update
Following the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCR) denial for a new at-grade crossing of the Madison Newspapers railroad spur, the previously planned, off-street extension of the Cannonball Path will not be feasible and instead a new, off-street alternative to connect the Cannonball Path to the Wingra Creek Path is being developed that stays along Fish Hatchery Rd. This new alternative will include an off-street side path on the west-side of Fish Hatchery Rd from the existing Cannonball Path up to Martin St; a new signalized intersection at Martin St & Fish Hatchery Rd will facilitate a diagonal bike crossing for the path to continue off-street on the east-side of Fish Hatchery Rd up to Wingra Creek; and a new bike-pedestrian bridge will be constructed to cross the creek and connect to the existing Wingra Creek Path.
The public is invited to attend a Virtual Public Information Meeting scheduled for Monday, November 24th at 6pm to learn more about the proposed design and anticipated timelines, as well as an opportunity to share feedback and ask questions of the project team. Registration prior is required.
Nov. 24, 2025 Public Information Meeting Registration
July 31, 2024 Update
The Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCR) denied the City’s request for a new crossing of the lightly used Madison Newspapers railroad spur for the extension of the Cannonball Path. Information on the petition for the new crossing, along with the final decision and testimony presented by the City and the railroad (WSOR) can be found on the OCR page. The City is currently reviewing our alternatives for how to complete this valuable connection in our path network.
May 22, 2024 Update
City staff is awaiting response from the railroad on the construction of a new at-grade, path-railroad crossing that is required for this extension of the Cannonball Path. Construction timeline is TBD. Updates will be posted to this project page once known.
October 2, 2023 Update
City staff are continuing to work on the Cannonball Path: Phase 6 project, including real estate acquisition and railroad coordination necessary to construct the off-street path from Fish Hatchery Rd. to the Wingra Creek Path. Anticipated construction for this project is Summer 2024.