TDA Newsletter - transportation news

February Newsletter

2/26/2021

Governor Evers' 2021-23 Budget Address

On February 16, Governor Evers gave his 2021-23 budget address. Click here to see TDA's summary released earlier this month.

More information will be available when the Legislative Fiscal Bureau releases their summary of the governor’s budget recommendations.

Wisconsin News

For more news around the state, take a look at TDA's About TIME publication.

To make the connection between transportation and the economy, TDA is following up with 2019 Multimodal Local Supplement grant applicants. In some cases, the story is about a project that moved forward with one-time money and the benefits to the community. In other cases, we learn about local governments that did not receive additional funding and the choices they face.

If you have a story you would like TDA to tell and share, please contact the TDA office.

La Crosse Bridge Project Shortens the Trip to Market, Helps Local Farmers

Three bridges – County Trunk Highway (CTH) T over Flemming Creek, CTH YY over Bostwick Creek, and CTH I over Bostwick Creek – are between 45 and 50 years old. All had been load posted for more than a decade.

Counties like Florence Face Tough Choices

County Truck Highway NN, between US-2 and CTH N in Florence County, is increasingly carrying heavy truck traffic. Florence County Highway Commissioner Joe Witynski says County Road NN needs to be preserved, but when one project is moved forward, another is moved back.

Other Stories:

WisDOT to Roll Out “Flex Lane” on Beltline to Support Regional Growth

Coming to Dane County is a Flex Lane project that will allow vehicle traffic on paved shoulders during peak travel times. This initiative will help alleviate congestion on the Beltline while WisDOT studies a longer-term fix.

Companies Eye Kenosha County as Strategic Location

Three more companies have announced plans to relocate to or expand operations in Kenosha County. Nosco, RealChem Manufacturing Inc., and The Kroger Company are taking advantage of the location's access to highways, including the newly expanded I-94 North-South.

TDA Outreach

Two Budget-Related Podcasts: I-94 E-W and the Governor’s Budget Proposal, Next Steps

Governor Evers’ budget recommendation includes enumeration of the long-delayed I-94 East-West project. On a recent On The Go podcast, Executive Director Debby Jackson talked with Steve Baas, senior vice president of governmental affairs for the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. The two discussed the significance of the I-94 East-West project to Milwaukee, the region, and the state. Baas also explained how the I-94 East-West Econ Connect coalition has brought together a diverse group to advocate for improving this vital stretch of roadway. Visit the coalition website at I94EconConnect.com

In the latest episode, Jackson reviews the governor’s budget recommendation and speaks with Sean Stephenson of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, a veteran of several state budget sessions as a former capitol staffer and current director of government & member relations at WTBA. Stephenson breaks down the budget process and outlines what actions we may expect and when we should expect them.

Listen to both podcasts here.

Association News

Thanks TDA Sponsors

This year TDA staff revamped our sponsorships and offered members the opportunity to be an organizational sponsor, as well as an event sponsor.

If you are interested in being a sponsor, see the options here.

Wisconsin's ASCE and League of Women Voters Highlight Infrastructure

ASCE Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin are hosting a series of virtual events about infrastructure. For registration and further information, visit their events page.

TDA Events

Virtual Fly-In will occur this spring.
2021 Annual Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16.