PNNL

Abstract

In southeastern Wisconsin, a regional trail network is taking shape, designed to connect more than 700 miles of paths across four counties, creating one of the largest regional networks in the Midwest [1]. Known as the Route of the Badger, the project connects city neighborhoods, suburbs, and rural landscapes, making it easier for people to walk, bike, and access greenspace. Partnerships with WE Energies, the region’s electric utility, have enabled use of existing corridors to connect trail segments, further integrating the larger trail network. Wide transmission corridors that were once off-limits are now being adapted for public use, while still serving their original purpose as transmission assets. Nearly 100 miles of trails in Wisconsin have already been built in these spaces [1]. In Greenfield, WI, the Powerline Trail illustrates this model. Built within a 200-foot-wide corridor, the trail provides a 10-foot paved surface with turf shoulders, wide enough to double as a service road [2]. Interviewees explained that municipalities assume mowing and routine upkeep, while WE Energies retains full rights to access and can require modifications if utility work is needed (interview, Sept. 25, 2025; interview, Sept. 30, 2025). Funding for these phases has come largely from federal transportation grants such as the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program, which covers 80 percent of costs, leaving local governments to provide the remaining share [3]. Interviews highlighted that this local match often determines whether projects advance (interview, Sept. 30, 2025). Initially, concerns from nearby residents during planning centered on privacy and safety. However, interviewees reported that once trail segments opened, public use was strong, and the corridors quickly became valued local amenities (interview, Sept. 30, 2025). For WE Energies, the trails also provided practical value by improving visibility, easing vegetation management, and adding “eyes and ears” for corridor security (interview, Sept. 25, 2025). The Route of the Badger is expanding in phases, with new connections under study toward Lake Michigan [3]. The project shows how existing corridors can serve multiple functions, carrying power while also providing safe and accessible community spaces.