Bank of New Glarus Donate to Friends Group
The Friends wish to thank the Bank of New Glarus for their generous donation to our organization and for their ongoing commitment to supporting our trails! We’re grateful to have the BNG as community partners and stewards of our environment!
TRAIL USAGE AND UPDATES
The mission of the Friends of the Badger and Sugar River State Trails as a nonprofit organization is to collaborate with the Department of Natural Resources to enhance usage and physical aspects of the trails. Our mission is reflected in the Southwest Savanna Draft Plan proposal to maintain current usage of the Badger and Sugar River State Trails, which includes hiking, biking, cross country skiing as well as snowmobiling and limited winter ATV use on a portion of the BST during appropriate conditions.
We support the concerns of trail users regarding user conflicts, and collaborate to minimize negative impacts on trail experience, safety, trail modifications, and environmental impacts. While e-Bikes are permitted on the trails (traveling up to speeds of 15 mph), both the Board of the Friends’ Group recognizes that, per DNR regulations, the use of each trail is limited to non-motorized vehicles. Following our 2020 trail user survey, the Friends’ stance moving forward is to speak out in opposition to expanding motorized use of both trails while promoting and advocating for silent sports and trail preservation.
Update on Stewart Tunnel – November 2024
GEI Engineering Consultants performed an assessment and have contracted out preliminary services to aid in design. This fall, contractors performed Lidar scanning of the tunnel, which will be used for the drafting of construction plans. A engineering firm that works on tunnels around the nation had their staff fly in and perform their initial assessment inspection as well. The timeline has been pushed back due to the needed planning and Bat Hibernaculum restrictions. The completed construction documents should be available in 2025, along with some pre-construction work, including the development of staging areas and bridge and culvert repairs to and from the tunnel portals. Major construction is slated for spring of 2026.
Check out our Friends’ neck buffs! Available at 10 Junk Miles.
100% of the proceeds go to the Friends of the Badger and Sugar River Trails.
Round Grove Bridge
According to the DNR, the at grade bypass was completed and signs installed in late December and the trail section is open for use. The newly developed ramps down to the Round Grove road will likely be soft in the spring, but over time should harden. The alternatives for bridge replacements are being discussed between the WDOT and other partners at this time.
ATV Use
The Friends Group conducted a survey in June 2016 in order to gauge support for any changes to the trails’ current usage, to which over 250 people responded. Here is a summary of the results: Data_All_200612.
The DNR has released its draft Master Plan for Wisconsin’s Southwest Savannah region to the public. The Friends Group is pleased that the plan proposes to maintain the current usage of the Badger and Sugar River State Trails. With regard to new ATV usage rules in specific communities along the trails, please contact their City Councils let them know your opinions and your concerns.
Follow the link below for an article with information about the Elroy-Sparta tunnels. If you want the experience of going through the longest tunnel on the oldest rail-trail in the US while the Stewart Tunnel is closed, head up north after May 1!
Three old Railroad Tunnels Help Make the Elroy-Sparta Trail One of the State’s Most Popular
What can you do?
- Help the Friends start a fundraising campaign to raise money for the repair of the tunnel.
- Keep your questions coming to us through our website and our Facebook page. We will continue to share your concerns with the DNR.
