Sun Prairie City Council Adopts Vision Zero Action Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 27, 2025
Jake King
Communications and Diversity Strategist
jking@cityofsunprairie.com
(608) 332-5397

Sun Prairie City Council Adopts Vision Zero Action Plan

On March 18, City Council adopted a Vision Zero Action Plan, which will serve as a comprehensive, data-driven strategy to guide city staff and elected officials in the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries in the community by 2035. Initial steps to reach this goal started in 2021 with the formation of the Pedestrian Safety Task Force.

Past Efforts

Following the recommendation from city council in response to multiple vehicle and pedestrian fatalities that occurred in 2020, city staff formed the task force to begin taking immediate action steps in enhancing safety in Sun Prairie streets. The task force implemented changes such as reducing the speed limit along the Main Street corridor and other key areas, installing rectangular rapid flashing beacons, increasing law enforcement presence and more. After immediate safety measures were completed, city council passed a resolution officially adopting the Vision Zero goal and directed staff to pursue further planning to enhance safety. After its adoption, staff began to focus on enhancing active transportation throughout Sun Prairie.

In 2023, staff completed the Sun Prairie in Motion Active Transportation Plan and it was adopted by city council in September of that year. The purpose of the plan is to make walking, biking and rolling in the community safer and a more convenient choice for all residents. It is utilized as a guide to staff and elected officials as decisions are made on where to expand new bikeways, paths and sidewalks. Additionally, it assists in focusing investment in new infrastructure in areas that could most benefit. To review the plan, please go to www.cityofsunprairie.com/SunPrairieInMotion

Vision Zero Action Plan

The Vision Zero Action Plan connects past efforts and builds upon them to provide a clear roadmap for reducing harm on city roadways. The plan’s six core strategies include:

· Show commitment and accountability

· Utilize a data-driven approach

· Design for calm streets

· Build strategic & multimodal projects

· Create a culture of community well-being and safety

· Promote equity

Each strategy includes various action items that assign a champion to lead the work along with potential partners, timeframe for implementation, cost assessment, and funding sources.

With the plan officially adopted, staff will begin prioritizing and implementing strategies to reach the 2035 goal.

“The Vision Zero Action Plan demonstrates a strong commitment held by Sun Prairie’s elected officials and city staff that all people should have access to safe streets,” said David Salmon, transportation coordinator. “Every strategy and action will be centered on this commitment.” To review the plan in detail, visit www.cityofsunprairie.com/VisionZero

About City of Sun Prairie

Sun Prairie is a vibrant and thriving community located in northeastern Dane County, just east of the City of Madison. The City of Sun Prairie has experienced strong population growth since its incorporation from a village to a city in 1958, undergoing a transformation from a relatively small community of less than 4,000 to an estimated 39,419 today.