FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2017
CONTACT: Craig Thompson, Executive Director
Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin
craig.thompson@tdawisconsin.org, 608-256-7044
Transportation Development Association Executive Director Craig Thompson released the following statement on the action of the Joint Committee on Finance:
“After months at a stalemate, the legislature appears poised to merely kick the can on transportation, again.
“Despite spirited efforts by many in the legislature to hold out for a responsible transportation solution, the motion passed by the Joint Finance Committee does not even begin to address Wisconsin’s daunting transportation challenges. In fact, this plan actually reduces the Highway Improvement Program by about $250 million from the previous budget.
“Wisconsin needs a plan to improve poor road conditions, help local governments shorten road replacement cycles, rebuild the 50-year old interstate system in southeastern Wisconsin and make other investments to strengthen our transportation system. That is not what we got.
“If there is a silver lining, it is that this time they won’t paper over the problem with a bunch of new debt for our kids to pay off. But they accomplish the reduction in borrowing by decreasing the rehabilitation budget and delaying important projects. This will do nothing to improve the condition of Wisconsin’s roads, which U.S. News & World Report recently ranked 49th in the country.
“Fortunately, the budget is expected to include, as part of the Foxconn deal, funding to complete the final link of the I-94 North-South project, which began in 2008.
“Safe, reliable highway access is vitally important to all companies looking to expand or locate in Wisconsin – not just Foxconn.”
About TDA
From the buses in Racine to the Port of Green Bay to the rail lines in Superior to the Waukesha County Airport to the roads we use every day, Wisconsin’s transportation network is the key to connecting goods to market and people to jobs. Founded in 1971, the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin promotes the vitality and safety of the state’s transportation system, including public transit systems, public-use and general aviation airports, railroads, commercial ports, and roads. TDA’s members comprise business, labor, units of government, regional planning organizations, as well as individuals. Contact us at: www.tdawisconsin.org and Twitter handle @TDAWisconsin