Fly-in Returns in 2023, Registration is Open

Join us on the TDA Fly-in March 1-2, 2023, to rebuild this TDA annual tradition after a three-year break due to COVID.

For the best flight and hotel deals, book your travel today!

Event and registration information is available here.

Since early last year, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has been analyzing the most recent I-94 East-West data and gathering additional public input as part of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the project. Last month, The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) signed off on the draft SEIS for the I-94 East-West project. The document includes the department’s preferred alternative — a modernized eight-lane corridor with a diverging diamond interchange to replace the current Stadium Interchange.

WisDOT has scheduled public hearings to review its preferred alternative and receive public comment. These hearings will have an open house and a public testimony portion. WisDOT invites attendees to view project information, talk with project staff, testify before a panel, testify privately, and submit written input on the preferred alternative for the corridor. Formal testimony to the panel will begin after an opening presentation. The presentation will begin 30 minutes after the start times listed below. 

WisDOT will present the same information on both nights.

Monday, December 12

3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Tommy Thompson Youth Center

State Fair Park, Gate 5

640 S. 84th Street, Milwaukee

Wednesday, December 14

4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Marquette University High School

3401 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee

(enter from Michigan Street parking lot)

I-94 East-West project stakeholders may submit comments using this online form.

Members gathered at TDA's annual meeting for a great event that included Governor Evers and WisDOT Secretary Thompson.

We covered topics including the Federal Infrastructure Law, what TDA learned during the five regional meetings this fall, and other states' efforts to prepare for EVs and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Thank you to the speakers, sponsors, and participants!

View the meeting presentations here.

Watch a video recap of the October TDA Regional Transportation Roundtables.

WisDOT has announced an updated Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) webpage, which provides information about WisDOT’s Local Programs and the current and planned transportation improvement projects in Wisconsin. The page contains a link to NEW BIL Federal Discretionary Grant funding information.

This page also provides additional resources:

• List of Current BIL Discretionary Funding Opportunities
• How to Apply for a Discretionary Grant
• Grant Writing Resources – which also includes links to helpful Federal Resources
• Request a Letter of Support from WisDOT’s Secretary Thompson
• BIL Discretionary Grant Summary – Opportunity for Locals to let WisDOT know about Discretionary Grant opportunities for which they have applied

The White House named Adam Tindall-Schlicht, former director of Port Milwaukee, administrator of the USDOT’s Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS).

The GLS is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the U.S. portion of the St. Lawrence Seaway between Montréal and Lake Erie. The movement of various cargoes – over 35 million metric tons each year – on the seaway system supports more than 237,000 jobs and $35 billion in annual economic activity in the U.S. and Canada.

The Port of Green Bay will receive a $10.1 million Maritime Administration Port Infrastructure Development grant. The grant funds the first phase of the redevelopment of a former power plant site into a new state-of-the-art port facility at the Port of Green Bay. This project is estimated to have a 5-year economic impact of $87 million and to create 20 jobs.

The project will include brownfield clean-up, filling in an old boat slip, construction of 1,273 feet of new dock wall and crane pads, dredging, resurfacing, asphalt pads, a rail spur, and stormwater management features.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and additional congressional appropriations made the USDOT's announcement of more than $703 million for 41 projects – including the Port of Green Bay project – in 22 states and one territory possible.

In a recent On The Go podcast, TDA’s Debby Jackson gave a quick overview of the five regional transportation roundtables this fall, including excerpts of interviews with roundtable panelists. TDA and local partners hosted community leaders, legislators, and candidates in Eau Claire, Appleton, Richland Center, Pewaukee, and Wausau. TDA’s goal was to reconnect and restart a conversation about transportation in Wisconsin after the pandemic.

In a second podcast, Andy Cummings, a spokesman for Canadian Pacific Railway, speaks with Jackson about the exciting return of the in-person Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train and the holiday magic this train brings to the cities and towns along the route. The train returns with about 170 free, in-person shows after being virtual in 2020 and 2021 and will roll through Wisconsin from December 8 to 10. Each year, the Holiday Train raises money, food, and awareness to address the issue of food insecurity.

Listen to both podcasts here.

Last month, Tracy Johnson was elected the Transportation Development Association’s 46th president at the TDA Annual Meeting. She will serve a one-year term.

Tracy is the president and CEO of the Commercial Association of REALTORS® Wisconsin (CARW) and has more than 20 years of association management and non-profit experience.

She joined the TDA Board in 2018.

Other members of the 2022-23 TDA Executive Committee include:

• 1st Vice President: Jason Culotta, Midwest Food Products Association
• 2nd Vice President: Jerry Deschane, League of Wisconsin Municipalities
• Secretary: Robb Kahl, Construction Business Group/International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 
• Treasurer: Tim Peterson, James Peterson Sons, Inc.
• Past President: Chris Klein, American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin

Thanks to all for their service.

The 2023 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., is quickly approaching, and an exceptional event is again on tap. The Wisconsin Reception at TRB is a much-anticipated opportunity for Wisconsin transportation professionals to network.

Sunday, January 8, 2023

4:30-8 p.m.

Yard House

812 7th Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20001

Please consider sponsoring this event and help bring together our state's transportation professionals. We are asking for sponsorships of $500 to help defray the event costs. If interested, please get in touch with TDA's Debby Jackson for more information and to arrange sponsorship payment. Submit your company logo to Amanda Rasmussen at UW-Madison.

This event is hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin.