The Pleasant View Road Reconstruction Project received a 2025 American Public Works Association (APWA) Wisconsin Chapter Project of the Year Award in the Transportation – $25 to $75 million category.
The 1.4-mile Pleasant View Road corridor, a key north-south commuter roadway on the west side of Madison and Middleton, Wisconsin, has been transformed to improve safety, connectivity, and sustainability. Serving approximately 13,000 vehicles daily and acting as an alternate route for USH 12/14 (Madison Beltline) during delays, the corridor faced congestion, deteriorating pavement, and gaps in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
To address these issues, the City of Madison and the City of Middleton partnered with Strand Associates, Inc.® to design improvements, expanding the two-lane rural road into a four-lane divided urban roadway with three roundabouts, continuous pedestrian accommodations, a multi-use path, and stormwater enhancements.
The roundabouts reduced vehicle speeds, minimized intersection conflicts, and eased congestion for commuters, businesses, and freight trucks. They are also expected to lower idling, vehicle emissions, and fuel consumption. Continuous pedestrian accommodations and a multi-use path now connect to trail networks and provide direct access to employers, bus routes, and retail and dining options. Stormwater improvements, including three new ponds and upgrades to an existing one, have significantly enhanced flood mitigation and roadway resilience. These improvements effectively produce better regional connectivity by strengthening the transportation links between Madison, Middleton, Verona, and Cross Plains.
This project has transformed Pleasant View Road from a vehicle-centric route with safety and operational issues into a multi-modal corridor that enhances safety, reliability, and resilience. Through collaborative planning and innovative design, it now supports growing communities and meets stakeholder needs.
The Pleasant View Road Reconstruction Project also won a 2025 ACEC WI State Finalist Award.
