Highway Policies: Joint Projects with Municipalities

The County will share one-half (1/2) of the engineering costs, design, and construction of all items in which the County participates. The maximum percentage for design and construction engineering costs as a percentage of actual total construction costs shall be 25% for road projects, 30% for bridge projects, and 35% for intersection/signal projects. Plans shall be approved by the County prior to letting and to any agreement for construction being signed.

The County shall obtain, gain ownership, and assume all costs associated with roadway right-of-way only for projects where multi-jurisdictional control of adjoining property exists. Any further right-of-way required for municipal amenities such as turn lanes into commercial areas or sideroads, sidewalks, bicycle paths, additional lanes, or frontage roads shall be acquired by the municipality. The municipality shall acquire the needed right-of-way for the project if the municipality intends, through agreement with the County, to assume maintenance control of the County trunk after the improvement is completed.

The County will share in the costs of curb and gutter construction. Cost participation is as follows:

• The County will share in one-half (1/2) of the costs of curb and gutter construction required along the median areas in multi-lane facilities.
• The County will share in one-half (1/2) of the costs of curb and gutter construction involved in a safety improvement project where the sole purpose of the curb and gutter is to assure proper channelizing of traffic.
• The County will share in one-half (1/2) of the costs for isolated curb and gutter where the construction of the curb and gutter is exclusively for purposes of eliminating right-of-way purchases.
• Where the Municipality has a curb and gutter assessment policy, the County will share in one-half (1/2) of the costs of the outside curb and gutter for those sections of curb and gutter that are not directly assessable to the adjacent property owner. The County will share in one-quarter (1/4) of the costs of outside curb and gutter for those sections of curb and gutter that are directly assessable to the property owner. The amount assessed to the property owner shall be credited equally to the local share provided by the County and Municipality.
• The County will not share in the costs of outside curb and gutter where the municipality does not have curb and gutter assessment policy.
• The Municipality shall be responsible for the future costs of the maintenance and repair of the curb and gutter.

• Where the Municipality has a sidewalk assessment policy, the County will share in one-half (1/2) of the costs of the sidewalk construction where those sections of sidewalk are not directly assessable to the adjacent property owner. The County will share in 1/4 of the cost of sidewalk for those sections of sidewalk that are directly assessable to the property owner. The amount assessed to the property owner shall be credited equally to the local share provided by the County and the Municipality.
• The County will not share in the costs of sidewalk where the municipality does not have a sidewalk assessment.
• The Municipality shall be responsible for the future costs of the maintenance and repair of the sidewalk.

The County will not share in the costs of concrete driveway apron construction.

The County will share in one-half (1/2) of the costs of a widened roadway section that is available for bicycle use. "Off-road" bicycle paths may be funded by improvement project funds. Any cost sharing for “Off-road” bicycle paths, including overhead or tunnel road crossing within the right-of-way, will be determined on an individual basis. The Municipality shall be responsible for the future costs of maintenance and repair of the bicycle paths. 

The County will share in one-half (1/2) the costs of all storm sewer and related structures associated with the project improvement. The County may share in the costs of the drainage structures or pipes associated with major municipal storm trunk sewer systems that pass through the project. The municipality may choose to relocate or enlarge their sewer system at the time the project is undertaken. Any cost sharing of this type will be determined on an individual basis. 

The County will not share in the costs of adjusting, relocating, repairing, placing, or replacing any sanitary sewer or water main, or appurtenances within or adjacent to the improvement project. 

The County will share in one-half (1/2) the costs of any bridge widening or construction involved in the project.

The County will not share in roadway lighting costs. 

The County will assume the costs of highway signing, with the exception of parking or restrictive parking signs, for which the County will not share costs. The County will assume one-half (1/2) of all costs involved in traffic light installations, and will enter into contracts for their maintenance as long as signals are warranted per accepted engineering standards.

The County will share in one-half (1/2) the costs associated with the pavement, grading, and base. 

The County will share in one-half (1/2) the costs of general landscaping (seeding and sodding) within the right of way. Sodding costs assumed by the County will be limited to areas where it is intended to control erosion, or it is the only viable alternative for right-of-way restoration (areas where seed mulch won't suffice). Major plantings as requested by the municipality shall be at their expense. 

The County will share in one-half (1/2) the costs of all original thermoplastic center line or lane markings. The County shall share in one-half (1/2) the costs of all original thermoplastic pedestrian markings. The Municipality shall be responsible for the future costs of maintenance and repair of the pedestrian markings. 

The County shall consider a jurisdictional transfer where a roadway segment is improved to urban standards entirely within one municipality or where multi-jurisdictions can agree to maintain the segment. The County may determine not to participate in the project if a jurisdictional transfer cannot be achieved.

Prior to actual commencement of construction, and after the project funds have been appropriated, formal contracts will be entered into by the County and municipality which will note all cost sharing items and the financial commitments of both parties for the joint improvement projects.

This revised policy will take effect with the adoption of the 2000 budget and beyond. Projects budgeted prior (year 2000 budget) to adoption of the revised policy will not be altered.

This policy was adopted by the Dane County Transportation Committee at its meeting on May 3, 1999.