10/10/2024, WXOW –
The Transportation Development Association hosted a roundtable discussion on Thursday morning at the La Crosse Club. It was an opportunity to hear from some local officials about their transportation infrastructure and the current challenges they might be facing.
“Transportation is multi-model whether it’s mass transit, it’s driving your car, it’s riding your bike, there’s a variety of things and trying to incorporate those all into the transportation funding model,” said Jarrod Holter, Onalaska Director of Public Works.
Conversations turned to roads, specifically the challenges in rural areas. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation there are 112,363 miles of public roadway. The rural roads in need of repairs were cited as being used for agricultural commerce and by larger farm vehicles that put an added strain on them that the general public might not see or realize. The rural roads need investments for immediate repairs as well as long term planning.
“We’ve got to do that, we’re always worried about ourselves, our money,” said Mike Hesse, the chair for the Town of Farmington. “We just have to realize that we need to invest for your kids and grandkids.”
TDA Executive Director Debbie Jackson says history shows how long term investment in road projects is a necessary part of the process.
“Historically, if you look back in the 1960’s, we invested in the interstate system. We’re still using that today,” she said.
“We need to continue to move Wisconsin forward when it comes to ensuring that we have a safe, modern transportation system,” Jackson added.