MADISON, Wis. -- Some drivers call Midtown Road one of the worst stretches of road in the area, but a plan to get the road back into decent shape has once again fallen to the wayside.

At one time Midtown was a local road on Madison's West Side but it has now become a popular commuting route, and it shows from the wear and tear, WISC-TV reported.

But because of a border battle with the Town of Verona, improvements will once again have to wait.

After waiting years to see improvements, some residents are saying enough is enough.

"I think a gravel road might be safer to drive on," resident Brian Holmes said.

Holmes said he's been hearing talks about redoing Midtown Road for five years. But each year, he said, it keeps getting pushed off.

The issue is over which municipality would be in control of the project, WISC-TV reported. Split along the center line of Midtown Road, half of the road is in the city of Madison and half is in the Town of Verona. And while Madison wants to move forward with the project, the Town of Verona recently voted it down because of the cost.

"At this point, we just need a few months to work out the details with the Town of Verona, and we're hopeful that we'll get a project for next year," said Rob Phillips, a city of Madison engineer.

As part of the plan being discussed, the Town of Verona would pay $20,000 toward the project and then would, in essence, give away the entire road to Madison.

But Madison also wants the power to charge Town of Verona residents who live along the road -- through a special assessment -- for the improvements.

It's a complicated process but the proposal will be discussed and possibly voted on at the Sept. 7 Verona town meeting, WISC-TV reported.

In the meantime, Holmes said he's not holding his breath.

"You become pretty pessimistic after getting passed over year and year out," Homes said.

The Town of Verona said it knows residents and drivers have been waiting for the project and it hopes to have the issue resolved soon.

However, because of timing, it's likely the project won't start until at least next spring, WISC-TV reported.